Moor comes from the Roman mauro (from the Greek mavros) meaning dark. It was widely used in Europe for centuries to describe a variety of peoples, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Arabs and Berbers who lived in North Africa. They lost their land and weren't in rule of any country. They migrated to Europe, and were forced to hide their religious identities. In Spain, they forced Moores to either turn to catholicism or leave the country.
Why were they forced to hide their religious identities?
ReplyDeleteI wonder who they lost their land to in Africa? and also what was there religon that they were forced to hide?
ReplyDeleteI think its interesting that moor meant dark and was used to refer to more then just black people.
ReplyDeleteIs Moor a degrading term then?
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting that Moor meant dark. It's like how negro means black. They connect and make sense.
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