Kahina

Kahina († 701) was a leader of the Berber ( Amazigh ) in the fight against the Muslims.

Kahina (Hebrew - Arab. Priestess for ) the epithet of Damja, as the leader of the Berber tribe of the Dscharawa in the Aures ( Zanata ), after Kusaila ibn Lemzem the resistance against the Muslims under Hassan ibn an- Numan ( 685-703 ) was Ifriqiya led. The Dscharawa were already converted to Judaism in Late Antiquity, as well as many other Berber tribes in North Africa.

While the Muslims were able to subdue the coastal regions without any problems, the resistance of the Berbers began with the Muslim penetration into the hinterland. Here, al - Kahina moved to the " scorched earth tactics " and could the Muslims after a victory at Nin force them to retreat from Ifriqiya.

After this victory, al - Kahina was recognized by the Berbers as a queen. Muslim prisoners were released into the wild. Khalid ibn Yazid The Muslim al - Qaisi was adopted by al - Kahina. In a new attack of the Muslims al - Kahina was defeated at Taharqa ( 701). She died after the betrayal of Khalid ibn Yazid al - Qaisi on the run. With the death of al - Kahina ended the joint resistance of the Berbers. More clashes between Berbers and Arabs took place under the banner of Islam.