La Kahena

La Kahena (Arabic: الكاهنة, Berber languages: ⵝⴰⴽⴰⵂⴻⵢⵢⴰ Takahiyya), also known as Kahina, Kahya, Dihya or Dihiya, was a Berber queen and religious and military leader who led indigenous resistance to the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb in the late 7th century CE.

While historical details are debated and sometimes contradictory, she is primarily remembered for her resistance against the Umayyad Caliphate's forces in what is now Algeria. Accounts of her life vary, with some portraying her as a Jewish queen, a Christian, or a pagan prophetess. What is consistent across accounts is her role as a powerful figure who united various Berber tribes in opposition to the Arab incursions.

The most common narrative places her as the leader of the Aurès tribe, inhabiting the Aurès Mountains. Faced with the advancing Umayyad armies led by figures such as Hassan ibn al-Nu'man, La Kahena reportedly inflicted a significant defeat upon the invaders around 695 CE. This victory gave the Berbers a period of control and autonomy.

However, this reprieve was short-lived. The Umayyads eventually regrouped and launched a renewed offensive. According to tradition, La Kahena employed a scorched earth policy to make the land less attractive to the invaders, a tactic that is said to have alienated some of the Berber population.

Eventually, La Kahena was defeated and killed, likely around 705 CE. Accounts differ on the exact circumstances of her death. Some say she was captured and executed, while others claim she died in battle. Some legends suggest that she instructed her sons to embrace Islam to ensure their survival and integration into the new order.

La Kahena remains a significant figure in Berber history and identity. She is often celebrated as a symbol of resistance against foreign domination and a powerful female leader. Her story is a complex mixture of historical fact and legend, reflecting the multifaceted and often contested history of the Maghreb. Her legacy continues to inspire and is interpreted in various ways within Berber communities and beyond.