The Black Guard: Moulay Ismael's Slave Soldiers

Lucas and Luna explore the 'Abid al-Bukhari, the slave army that underpinned Moulay Ismael's reign in 17th-century Morocco. Lucas explains how Ismael imported thousands of enslaved Black Africans, mainly from the Bambara and Soninke regions, and forged them into a loyal military force. He details their training, their role in suppressing tribal rebellions, and their unique status as both enslaved and privileged. The conversation also touches on the army's religious indoctrination, their oath on Sahih al-Bukhari, and the strategic marriage of slave soldiers to free Arab women to create a new elite. Lucas reflects on the 'Abid's legacy, including their decline after Ismael's death and their lingering influence on Moroccan politics into the 19th century. The episode offers a nuanced look at how one man's ambition shaped a brutal but effective institution. #AbidAlBukhari #MoulayIsmail #Morocco #SlaveSoldiers #Alaouite #BlackGuard #Makhzen #SahihAlBukhari #Bambara #Soninke #17thCentury #MilitaryHistory #NorthAfrica #Slavery #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast #MoroccanHistory #Almoravid #Almohad Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo