The Tafilalt Oasis: Sijilmasa's Desert Legacy

In this episode, Lucas and Luna trace the rise and fall of Sijilmasa, the legendary trading city at the edge of the Sahara. From its founding by the Miknasa Berbers in 757 CE to its destruction by the Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismail in 1732, Sijilmasa was the crucial link between Morocco and the gold, salt, and slave trades of West Africa. They explore how the city's wealth attracted dynasties like the Almoravids and Saadians, how it became a haven for Idrisid exiles, and how the Tafilalt oasis itself became the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty. Along the way, they discuss the challenges of dating Sijilmasa's founding, the city's role in spreading Islam, and the devastating impact of its final sack. The episode weaves together geography, archaeology, and political intrigue, offering a vivid portrait of a place that was once the wealthiest city in North Africa. #Sijilmasa #Tafilalt #Morocco #Sahara #TransSaharanTrade #Almohads #Almoravids #Saadians #Alaouites #MoulayIsmail #BerberHistory #TradeRoutes #DesertCities #NorthAfrica #History #FexingoHistory #Oasis #GoldTrade Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo