Mostly mountainous. In the fifth century, it was inhabited by Berber tribes, most of whom belonged to the numerous Masmuda tribe. Ibn Hawqal mentioned that they were generally characterized by bare feet, harshness in dealings, and a lack of gentleness in nature. The people of Sūs were known for their interest in material phenomena of their lives and the events that occurred among them. Consequently, they were known for their practice of divination and astrology, and their claims to control hidden powers and the ability to discover treasures. Many of them practiced this in the Maghreb and Africa, and sometimes they reached the regions of the East. Another of their characteristics was their eloquence in influential speech that affected the listener. They possessed a simple yet captivating and enchanting eloquence, which they often used by preachers and politicians to incite large groups to revolt against an existing order, or to support a new doctrine, or to wage war with a neighboring tribe.

In the fifth century and before, the Sūs region did not have prominent scientific centers that illuminated the people of the region and instilled in them a deep religious thought. However, it was not devoid of some scholars who settled in some of its parts and spread among its people a religious culture based mostly on jurisprudential sciences. Among these was Wajjaj ibn Zallu al-Lamti (d. 1053 AH / 445 AH), who studied in Kairouan and then settled in "Ijlu" in the suburbs of Tiznit. Among them was Abdullah ibn Yasin (d. 1059 AH / 451 AH), who had a strong relationship with the people of Jazula.

See: Provançal, Ibn Tumart and Abd al-Mu'min ibn Ali, Ibn Hawqal, Surat al-Ard: 77, 78. Provançal, Islam in the Maghreb and Andalusia, 147. Muhammad Kayal Shabana, The Almohad State and Reflections on its History: 256. Same source and page. 79.

One of the spiritual founders of the Almoravid state, a Maliki jurist who graduated from Abu Imran al-Fasi, built a house of knowledge in Sūs. Abdullah ibn Yasin studied under him. See his biography: Abdullah Kanun, Abu Imran al-Fasi (Memories of Famous Scholars of the Maghreb).

A reformist Maliki jurist, considered the spiritual founder of the Almoravid state along with Yahya ibn Ibrahim al-Kudali, the military leader who founded the state. He studied under Wajjaj al-Lamti. He was martyred in some battles against the rebellious tribe of Barghawata. See his biography in: Abdullah Kanun, Memories of Famous Men of the Maghreb (Abdullah ibn Yasin). 37.