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Kabila
Cartes des tribus de la Chaouia (Maroc). Les Beni Meskin (hachuré), au départ tribu de la Tadla, sont considérés comme tribu de la Chaouia a partir du XIXe s.

Oulad Zyan

Arab tribe of the Chaouia confederation near Casablanca, Morocco

Photo: Omar-Toons, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Oulad Zyan are an Arab tribe in Morocco, part of the Chaouia tribal confederation. Their lands are split into two areas near Casablanca, and they trace their ancestry to the Banu Hilal from Nejd, now in Saudi Arabia.

  • Their lands are split into two parts near Casablanca
  • They are part of the Chaouia tribal confederation
  • Descended from the Banu Hilal of Nejd
  • Territory includes a 12 km stretch along the Atlantic coast

Who are the Oulad Zyan?

The Oulad Zyan are an Arab tribe of Morocco, belonging to the Chaouia tribal confederation. They are known for their split territory, with two main areas located southeast and southwest of Casablanca. The tribe traces its ancestry to the Banu Hilal, a well-known Arab tribal group. Their identity is shaped by shared descent, history, and their place within the wider Chaouia region.

Where do the Oulad Zyan live?

The Oulad Zyan live in the plains surrounding Casablanca, with their lands divided into two parts separated by about 30 kilometers. One section, Oulad Zyan Moualine el Oued, lies southeast of Casablanca, while Oulad Zyan Soualem is to the southwest. Their territory stretches for 12 kilometers along the Atlantic coast and is known for its water sources and the Oued el Maleh river.

How is Oulad Zyan society organised?

The Oulad Zyan are organized as a tribe, with their social structure based on shared ancestry. Their name comes from a branch of the Beni Malik tribe, and they maintain connections to other tribes in the region through the Chaouia confederation. The tribe’s identity is tied to lineage, with descent traced through Zyan bin Khalifa and the larger Banu Hilal group.

The history of the Oulad Zyan

The Oulad Zyan trace their origins to the Banu Hilal, an Arab tribe from Nejd in what is now Saudi Arabia. According to the historian Ibn Khaldun, they descend from Zyan bin Khalifa, whose lineage connects them to the Beni Malik. The tribe once inhabited territory in the Gharb region before settling near Casablanca. Their history is linked to broader Arab migrations into Morocco.

Oulad Zyan life today

Today, the Oulad Zyan remain a distinct tribe in Morocco, with their lands still divided near Casablanca. They are recognized as part of the Chaouia confederation and maintain their identity through shared ancestry and territory. Their region is bordered by several other tribes and is known for its water resources and proximity to the Atlantic coast.

Questions people ask about the Oulad Zyan

Where do the Oulad Zyan live?

The Oulad Zyan live in two separate areas near Casablanca, Morocco, with one part southeast and the other southwest of the city.

What is the origin of the Oulad Zyan?

They are of Arab origin, descended from the Banu Hilal tribe that migrated from Nejd, now part of Saudi Arabia.

Are the Oulad Zyan part of a larger group?

Yes, they belong to the Chaouia tribal confederation, which includes several tribes in the region around Casablanca.

What is notable about their territory?

Their lands are divided into two parts separated by about 30 kilometers, and include a stretch along the Atlantic coast.

Sources and further reading

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources above and checked automatically before publishing. It may contain mistakes, and it is no substitute for hearing from the Oulad Zyan themselves. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.

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