Zirid Dynasty

The Zirid dynasty (Arabic: زيريون‎ Zīryūn) were a Sanhadja Berber dynasty that governed Ifriqiya from 973 to 1148.

Initially governing on behalf of the Fatimids, the Zirids became independent in 1048. They were weakened by the invasion of the Banu Hilal tribes in the second half of the 11th century and finally destroyed by Sicilian Normans in 1148.

The Hammadids of Central Maghreb and the Zawids of Granada were offshoots of this dynasty.