Zerzar
Zerzari or Zerzarok, Zarzariyya, Zirzariyya, was a Kurdish tribe during the Middle Ages. The Zarzariyya were most likely a branch of the Hadhbani tribe, they made a Military cavalry unit in the Ayyubid Sultanate.Name
The name of the Tribe is a combination of Zēr and Zar or Zarok, which means "Golden child".Territory
The Zarzari tribe were an isolated Kurdish tribe, their original homeland was in Irbil region. They were present in Ushnu and Rawanduz. by 12th century, their territory also included Sinjar and parts of Diyar Bakr. During the 14th century, it was recorded by Al-Umari that the Zerzari tribe were also present in Tel-Haftun, Rostak and Malazgart.History
Description
The Zerzari corps of the Ayyubid Army were described by Imad ad-Din Isfahani:Military History
The Zerzaris were recruited by the Artuqids of Diyar-Bakr and later by Atabagate of Mosul, and eventually by Ayyubid rulers. During the Saladin era, there were many Zerzari Emirs serving in the Army. Most notably Shirkuh ibn Bakhel Al-Zarzari, who was one of the Ayyubid Army commanders during the Siege of Acre. And Nashirwan al-Zarzari, who swore his Allegiance to Al-Afdal after Saladin's death.