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Al-Andalus |
 Name given by Arabs to the “island” visible from North Africa,
possibly in reference to the Vandals, a Germanic tribe that briefly
occupied the Iberian peninsula in the early 5th century. The size of
Al-Andalus varied over time, as territory was lost to Christian
forces. |
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Albaicín |
Spanish term for a portion of the old Muslim city opposite the
Alhambra in Granada, which features narrow cobblestone streets,
teterías (cafes), and handicrafts. It remains popular with tourists.
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Andalucía/Andalusia |
Name
for the modern-day administrative province in southern Spain, which
retains a distinctive character and culture associated with the time
of Muslim rule. |
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Caliph |
The
title of the person who heads up a dominion under the Islamic form
of government, as a successor to the Prophet Muhammad. The term is a
transliterated version of the Arabic word for "successor" or
"representative." They included Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman |
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Caliphate |
The
office or dominion of a caliph, that represents the political unity
and leadership of the Muslims. From the time of Prophet Muhammad's
death in 632 CE until 1924, the Umayyad, Abbasid, and finally
Ottoman (sultans of Turkey) Dynasties held successive |
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Damasquinos |
Spanish term for jewelry and other articles made of gold and black
metal, referring to the Syrian city of Damascus, from where the
Umayyads had come to establish their rule in Iberia. |
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Dhimmi |
Arabic term that means "covenant of protection," referring to
special status given to non-Muslims under Islamic law, whereby they
are given certain legal protections and obligations in exchange for
a poll tax collected annually. |
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Iberia |
Name
of the geographic peninsula, which juts out from Europe in a
southwesterly direction. Comprised of Spain and Portugal. |
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Judería |
Spanish term for the Jewish quarter in Córdoba, featuring
white-washed, tile-roofed patio homes typical of the region. |
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Mazapan |
Marzipan, a pastry made with sugar, eggs and almonds for which
Toledo is known, which was introduced to Al-Andalus by Persians
immigrants. |
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Moriscos |
Spanish term, meaning “little Moors,” describing new Christian
converts from Islam in the 15th and 16th centuries under the shadow
of the Inquisition. Many Moriscos were crypto-Muslims. |
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Moors |
 Term
commonly but inaccurately used to describe the Muslim rulers and
inhabitants of Iberia in the Medieval era. “Moor” refers to people
from the Roman province of Mauritania (i.e. North Africa), thus
“outsiders.” In fact, most Andalusi Muslims were indigenous converts
of mixed Arab, Berber, Spanish, and Slavic extraction. |
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Islamic |
Descriptive term referring to the art, architecture, literature, or
other cultural expression of Andalusi Muslims. |
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Mozarabs |
Spanish term possibly from the Arabic must’arab, meaning “to
Arabize.” Used to identify Christians living under Muslim rule. |
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Mudejars |
Spanish term deriving from the Arabic mudajjin, meaning “those
staying behind.” Used to identify Muslims living openly as Muslims
under Christian rule from the 11th to the 17th centuries, until
final expulsion by 1614. |
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Muwallad |
Arabic term -- meaning "the native born" -- for the new generation
of Muslims in Al-Andalus, who were the product of Hispani-Roman
women marrying into Arab and Amazigh (Berber) families. |
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Spain |
Modern nation with constitution proclaimed in 1812, forming majority
of the Iberian peninsula. Initially unified under Ferdinand and
Isabella upon conquest of Muslim kingdom of Granada in 1492. |
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Quick Reference
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Al-Majreet |
Arabic for Madrid, meaning "the water channel" |
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Amir |
Also spelled emir. Ruler, chief, or commander
in Islamic countries |
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Amirate |
Also spelled emirate. The state or
jurisdiction of an amir. |
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Cristiano |
Spanish term for a Christian and speaker
of Romance |
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Gharnatah |
Arabic for Granada |
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Ishbiliyah |
Arabic for Seville |
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Meseta |
Spanish for high plains |
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Moro |
Spanish term for Arab, Berber, or muwallad of
any appearance |
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Qadi |
Judge |
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Qurtubah |
Arabic for Córdoba |
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Suq |
Arabic for market |
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Taifas |
Petty Kingdoms |
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Teterías |
Spanish for cafes |
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Tulaytulah |
Toledo |
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'Ud |
Musical stringed instrument |
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Wazir |
Minister |
