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Banu 'Amilah (Arabic: بَنُو عَامِلَة, Banū ʿĀmilah), also spelled Amelah, were an Arab tribe that inhabited the historic region of Jabal Amel in present-day Southern Lebanon. According to tradition, they were originally a South Arabian tribe migrating from the towns of Bardoun, Yarim, Mayrayama and Jibla in the central highlands and the Raimah region in Yemen after Marib Dam flood in 200 BC. In traditional genealogy, they trace their genealogy back to 'Amilah whose real name is "al-Harith son of 'Afirah son of 'Udi son of Murrah son of 'Add son of Zayd son of Yashgub son of Zayd son of Kahlan.[1] Accordingly, they initially dwelt in Jordan and Syria, eventually settling the southern highlands and eastern valley of modern Lebanon.[2] Irfan Shahîd contrasts the traditional view, saying that it is almost certain that the tribe formed a part of Nabataean confederacy along with Judham and Balqayn, and that their presence in the region goes back to Biblical times.[3] Others have traced the tribe's origin back to Quda'a or even the Biblical Amalekites.[4]
From their then-settlement in southern Palestine (which they still occupied even during the Muslim conquest of the Levant), for centuries Banu 'Amilah acted as foederati for the Byzantines against any possible threats from the tribes of the Arabian peninsula and the Persian-allied Lakhmids. They are believed to have settled in the area, possibly in the 3rd or 4th century, after moving from Iraq and through Palmyra. They were noted for their strong commitment to the Empire in the 6th century and acknowledged Ghassanid supremacy among the Arab foederati. They were closely linked with the neighbouring Banu Judham and allied to Banu Kalb.[5] The tribe was among the Arab foederati, who, alongside the Byzantine Empire, opposed the initial Muslim incursions into the Levant.[6]
While little is known of their religious beliefs, they have been described as superficial followers of Monophysitism and were named Mutanasira (Christians who did not have firm belief in Christianity), as opposed to Nasara (Christians). Some even mention the tribe keeping some pagan practices. However, much later sources have described them as devoted Christians.[7] Following the emergence of Islam, members of the tribe converted to Islam.
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Historical Arab tribes
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These prefixes ignored in the alphabetical ordering: Al, Bani, Banu. | |
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Part of Arab tribes |
