Ziri ibn Manad
Ziri ibn Manad or Ziri son of Mennad was the founder of the Zirid dynasty in the Berber world.
Ziri ibn Mennad was a chief of the Takalata branch of the Sanhajah confederation, to which the Kutama Berbers belonged. As an ally of the Fatimids, he defeated the rebellion of Abu Yazid, and was rewarded with the governorship of the western provinces, an area that roughly corresponds with modern Algeria north of the Sahara.
Ziri had the residence of built south of the future site of Algiers in 935. He summoned masons and joiners from M'sila and Tubna to build the fortress, which once finished was filled with scholars, merchants and lawyers. He minted money and began to pay his troops in cash. His son Buluggin ibn Ziri founded the cities of Algiers, Miliana and Medea, and rebuilt the settlements destroyed in the revolt.
Ziri ibn Manad was killed in battle against the lord of M'sila in June-July 971. He was succeeded as governor by his son Buluggin ibn Ziri, who in 972 became Viceroy of Ifriqiya when the Fatimids transferred their court to Egypt.
