Berber Sultanates

The Berbers, or Amazigh (meaning “free people”) are among the indigenous inhabitants of much of North and Northwest Africa. These diverse regions gave rise to several ways of life: some Amazigh were sedentary agriculturalists or urban residents, while many others were pastoralists. All enjoyed the benefits of living near or on the vibrant trade routes spanning the northern part of the African continent. By the early modern period, the Ottoman Empire controlled most of the core Amazigh lands either directly or through client kingdoms. The most notable exception was the Saadi Sultanate (1510-1659) in modern-day Morocco, which used a modernized army and shrewd diplomacy to maintain its independence, even defeating a large Portuguese invasion force at Alcacer Quibir in 1578. After their eventual collapse in the 17th century, the Saadis were replaced by the Alaouites, who despite periods of Spanish and French dominion still rule the region today.

From the game's History encyclopedia, AoE3: DE 100.19.18309.