Awlad Sidi Shaykh أولاد سيدي الشيخ | |
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Arab tribe in Algeria | |
Ethnicity | Arab |
Location | Western Algeria |
Descended from | Sidi Shaykh (descendant of Abu Bakr) |
Language | Arabic |
Religion | Sunni Islam |
The Awlad Sidi Shaykh (Arabic: أولاد سيدي الشيخ, also spelled Ouled Sidi Cheikh) was a confederation of Arab tribes in the west and south of Algeria led by the descendants of the Sufi saint Sidi Shaykh. The Awlad had religious authority, and also owned agricultural settlements and engaged in trade. During the French occupation of Algeria they alternately cooperated with and opposed the colonialists.