Suʾda

Suʾda , also known as Sa'ada (fl. eleventh century), was a legendary Berber princess who is an important character in the oral epic Al-Sirah al-Hilaliyyah.

Biography Suʾda appears as an important character in the Al-Sirah al-Hilaliyyah, an epic poem that describes the march of Arab tribes westward. Her father, known as al-Zanatı Khalıfa, held her in esteem, and unusually, had adopted part of her name as his own: Abu Suʾda al Yafrani al Zanatai. He was a Berber general from the Zenata tribe, who fought for the ruler of the Zenata Kingdom Ifranid of Tlemcen It is probable they lived in the region of modern-day Tunisia. Whilst little is known about her early life, she features as an important character in the Al-Sirah al-Hilaliyyah.

In another episode in the story, she predicts the death of her own father al-Zanatı Khalıfa. After the death of her father, there are several versions of what happened to Su'da. In a North African version of the story, both Su'da and her father are treated sympathetically and Su'da is still respected even after her betrayal of her Berber relatives becomes known. One of the interesting aspects of the epic is its treatment of women and according to Allen James Fromherz, "women such as Su'da were portrayed as even more noble than the Arab heroes themselves". Comparisons have been drawn between Su'da and the character of Dido from The Aeneid.