The Meshwesh (often abbreviated in ancient Egyptian as Ma) are an ancient Libyan (i.e., Berber) tribe from Cyrenaica.Early records of the Meshwesh date back to the 18th dynasty of Ancient Egypt from the reign of Amenhotep III.

During the 19th and 20th Dynasties of Egypt (ca 1295 - 1075 BCE), the Meshwesh are in almost constant conflict with the Egyptian state.

During the late 21st Dynasty, increasing numbers of Meswesh Libyans begin to settle in the Western Delta region of Egypt.

They will ultimately take control of the country during the late 21st Dynasty first under king Osorkon the Elder.

After an interregnum of 38 years, during which the native Egyptian kings Siamun and Psusennes II assumed the throne, they rule Egypt throughout the 22nd and 23rd Dynasties under such powerful kings as Shoshenq I, Osorkon I, Osorkon II, Shoshenq III and Osorkon III respectively.

Their reign only comes to an end with the invasion of the Kushite 25th Dynasty in Year 20 of Piye.