Aspects of Moorish Heritage
1. Art and Architecture
Moorish art and architecture is full of signs and symbols and often incorporates calligraphy into its designs, quoting the Koran or poetry. The point was to inspire the viewer to reflect upon the unity of all things under Allah, whose power and perfection could never be equalled by the achievements of man.
2. Religious Tolerance
Although non-Muslims had to pay a special tax and wear distinctive clothing, Moorish policies towards Jews and Catholics were generally easygoing. There was greater repression after the fundamentalist Almohads came into power in the 12th century, but on the whole the faiths were well integrated for centuries.
3. Music
The Moors can be credited with the development of the guitar, which they adapted from the four-stringed lute. The Middle Eastern musical forms they imported were also to have an effect later on flamenco (for further details see Aspects of Gypsy Culture).
4. Gardens
Moorish gardens make prominent use of water – so important to people from a perpetually arid land. It was sprayed, channelled, made to gurgle and fall, to please the ear and eye. Jasmine, honeysuckle and roses are just a few of the flowers the Moors brought to the region.
5. Agriculture
Inheriting many of their techniques from the Romans, the Moors were masters of agricultural engineering. Their system consisted of three main elements: the aqueduct, the waterwheel and the irrigation channel. Thereby, they were able to cultivate vast areas, often building ingenious terracing on slopes. They also introduced many crops, including bitter oranges, lemons, almonds, rice, cotton, pomegranates, aubergines (eggplants), artichokes, asparagus and mulberry trees (to feed silk-worms).
6. Philosophy
Great minds of Andalucía, such as the Moor Averroës and the Jew Maimonides, were considered among the most advanced thinkers of their age. The former almost single-handedly preserved the writings of Aristotle, while the latter’s writings sought to reconcile Biblical faith and reason.
7. Science
Moorish scientists excelled in the fields of metallurgy, zoology, botany, medicine and mathematics. Moorish inventors also developed revolutionary devices such as the astrolabe and the quadrant, essential for navigation. Arabic numerals were introduced, as well as algebra (from al-jebr, meaning “reuniting broken parts”) and the algorithm.
8. Food
The simple fare that had existed prior to the Moorish incursion – centred around olives, wheat and grapes – gave way to a bounty of flavours. Almonds, saffron, nutmeg, pepper and other spices became commonplace in the region.
9. Language
Modern Spanish is full of everyday terms that come from Moorish heritage – the word for “left” (izquierda) is almost pure Arabic and any word beginning with the prefix al- (the) comes from Arabic too.
10. Crafts
The hand-tooled leather of Córdoba, silver and gold filigree jewellery, pottery, silk and embroidered goods, and inlaid creations all owe their existence to the Moors’ 800-year hegemony.
