The Sahara of Masked Ones served as a vital link between the regions of West Sudan and Islamic Maghreb throughout the medieval era. It maintained political, cultural, and enduring economic ties with both regions, with sources often presenting diverse aspects. Despite the desert nature of the area and the nomadic lifestyle that characterized many southern Saharan tribes, numerous urban centers held significant economic stature. The Sahara of Masked Ones played crucial political roles through these centers. This study focuses on their political relations with the Far Maghreb. Our aim is to uncover the reality obscured by sources that some scholars manipulated, portraying the region as politically and geographically subordinate to the Far Maghreb. This aligns with expansionist political ideologies that emerged since the independence era of the past century—ideologies we perceive as illegitimate and lacking a historical foundation.

Sahara of Masked Ones, Islamic Maghreb, Oudghast, Marrakech, Azuki, Southern Sanhaja