How To Understand The Moors

Summary

This video delves into the complex history of the Moors, emphasizing their significance in African and Islamic history. It clarifies misconceptions about the Moors' identity and highlights the crucial role of black soldiers in establishing their legacy. The script discusses the evolution of Moorish power, particularly focusing on the Almoravids and Almohads dynasties, and underscores the importance of recognizing Afro-descended people's agency in Moorish history.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video discusses the complex history of the Moors and the role of Afro-descended people in establishing their legacy.
• 🌍 The term 'Moors' broadly referred to Muslims from North Africa, including both Amazigh populations and other Africans from further south.
• 🕋 The Moors' identity has been constantly challenged, with their history often carrying an asterisk due to the debate over who they truly were.
• 🏰 The focus is on the Almoravids and the Almohads, two Moorish dynasties in Spain known for their use of black soldiers and having rulers with African roots.
• 📖 The script emphasizes the importance of being specific about time periods and dynasties when discussing Moorish history to avoid confusion.
• 🗡 Black soldiers were a significant part of Islamic armies even before the 9th century, but their prominence increased significantly during this time.
• 🛡 The recruitment of black soldiers from inner Africa was a strategic move by North African rulers to ensure loyalty and maintain control over their armies.
• 👥 There were periods in Moorish history where there were more Arab and Amazigh soldiers than black soldiers, especially before the 9th century.
• 🎭 Europeans often depicted the power of the Moors with an image of a black man in their artwork, reflecting the significant presence of black soldiers in Moorish armies.
• 🏼 The 9th century marked a turning point for black soldiers, with rulers like Ahmad Tulun relying heavily on them, which changed the face of the Moors.
• 👶 The legacy of black soldiers continued in Morocco even after the Moors were expelled from Spain in 1492, with Sultan Malay Ismail using them to solidify his power in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Q & A

Why did the creator have to redo the video?

The creator had to redo the video due to copyright issues.

What is the primary focus of the video?

The primary focus of the video is on the history of the Moors and their significance to Afro-descended people.

Why is the history of the Moors important to Afro-descended people?

The history of the Moors is important to Afro-descended people because it represents a time when they achieved glory and demands respect, providing a sense of pride and accomplishment.

What common misconception about the Moors does the video address?

The video addresses the misconception that the Moors were solely black people, emphasizing the diversity within the Moorish populations, including Arabs and Amazighs.

Who were the Almoravids and Almohads?

The Almoravids and Almohads were significant Moorish dynasties in Spain known for their use of black soldiers and rulers who were indistinguishable from various African ethnic groups.

How did the recruitment of black soldiers contribute to Moorish supremacy?

The recruitment of black soldiers contributed to Moorish supremacy by providing a loyal and diverse military force that could reinforce the sultan's power and maintain order, especially during the 9th century and beyond.

What role did black soldiers play in the early days of Islam?

In the early days of Islam, black soldiers were recruited to join Islamic armies in exchange for freedom, and they played significant roles in various military campaigns, including the capture of Mecca.

How did Sultan Ahmad Tulan use black soldiers in Egypt?

Sultan Ahmad Tulan relied heavily on black soldiers from Sudan and Nubia to secure his rule in Egypt, with black soldiers forming a large part of his army and personal guard.

What was the significance of black soldiers in the Umayyad dynasty in Spain?

In the Umayyad dynasty in Spain, black soldiers were crucial in maintaining order and supporting the ruling elite, with Emir Abed al-Rahman I and his successors using them extensively in their armies.

How did the tradition of using black soldiers continue in Morocco after the expulsion from Spain?

The tradition of using black soldiers continued in Morocco with rulers like Sultan Malay Ismail, who assembled a large army of black soldiers to solidify his power and undermine the influence of local tribal groups.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Moorish History and Identity Challenges

This paragraph discusses the complexities of Moorish history, particularly the challenges faced in defining the identity of the Moors. It highlights the importance of this history for Afro-descended people, who find in it a source of pride and achievement. The speaker emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the Moors, who were not exclusively black but included various Muslim populations from North Africa. The paragraph also introduces the focus on the Almoravids and Almohads dynasties, which are central to the discussion of the role of black soldiers in Moorish history.

05:01

🛡️ The Rise and Significance of Black Soldiers in Moorish Dynasties

The second paragraph delves into the historical evolution of black soldiers within Moorish dynasties, especially the Almoravids and Almohads. It explains how the use of black soldiers became a strategic tool for North African rulers to maintain control and authority, free from the influence of intermediate powers or opposing ethnic loyalties. The paragraph describes how the 9th century marked a significant shift in the prominence of black soldiers, with rulers like Ahmad Tulun relying heavily on them. It also touches on the legacy of these soldiers in later periods, such as the 17th and 18th centuries in Morocco under Sultan Malay Ismail, who used a large black soldier army to consolidate his power and diminish the influence of local tribal groups.

Keywords

💡Moors

The term 'Moors' in the script refers to Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, and Malta during the Middle Ages. It is a broad term used to describe various populations, including Amazigh and other Africans from North Africa and further south. The Moors are central to the video's theme as they represent a significant part of African history and the legacy of Afro-descended people. The script discusses the Moors' identity challenges and their achievements, particularly in Spain.

💡African Diaspora

The 'African Diaspora' refers to communities across the world descended from the historical movement of Africans away from the African continent, often due to the slave trade. In the context of the video, the African Diaspora's interest in Moorish history is highlighted as a way to connect with a legacy of achievement and glory, challenging the often overlooked contributions of Afro-descended people to mainstream history.

💡Almoravids

The 'Almoravids' were a Berber Muslim dynasty originating from the Sahara and the western Sudan region. They are mentioned in the script as one of the Moorish dynasties that played a significant role in African history, particularly in the spread of Islam and the establishment of Muslim rule in North Africa and Spain.

💡Almohads

The 'Almohads' were a Berber Muslim movement that founded a dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries, known for their strict interpretation of Islam and their conquests in North Africa and Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain). The script emphasizes the Almohads' use of black soldiers and their rulers' African heritage, illustrating the contribution of Afro-descended people to Moorish history.

💡Amazigh

The 'Amazigh' refers to the Berber people, an ethnic group native to North Africa known for their distinct culture and language. In the script, the Amazigh are mentioned alongside other Africans as part of the diverse populations that contributed to the Moorish identity and history.

💡Black Soldiers

The term 'Black Soldiers' in the script denotes African soldiers, particularly those from the Sudan and Nubia regions, who were recruited into Moorish armies. They became the backbone of Moorish military power, especially from the 9th century onwards, and are a key element in the video's narrative about the significant role of Afro-descended people in Moorish history.

💡Nubia

Nubia refers to an ancient region in northeastern Africa, corresponding to present-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan. The script mentions Nubia as the origin of many black soldiers who were renowned for their skills, particularly as archers, and who played a crucial role in the Moorish armies.

💡Moorish Supremacy

The concept of 'Moorish Supremacy' in the script refers to the period when the Moors, particularly with the rise of black soldiers, became a dominant military and political force in the region. This term is used to highlight the peak of the Moors' influence and power, especially in Spain and North Africa.

💡Malay Ismail

Malay Ismail, also known as Moulay Ismail, was the Sultan of Morocco in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The script discusses his strategic use of a large black soldier army to consolidate his power and diminish the influence of local tribal groups, showing the continued importance of black soldiers in Moorish tradition.

💡Afro-Descended Agency

The term 'Afro-Descended Agency' in the script refers to the active role and influence of Afro-descended people in shaping history, specifically within the context of the Moors. The video argues for recognizing and balancing the narrative to include the significant contributions of black soldiers and leaders in establishing the Moors' legacy.

💡Jacob Al-Manzur

Jacob Al-Manzur was the Moorish ruler of the Almohad dynasty in the late 12th century. The script highlights him as a significant Moorish leader whose mother was believed to be of black African descent, further emphasizing the African heritage within Moorish leadership and its importance to the Moors' history.

Highlights

The video was reposted due to copyright issues, emphasizing the importance of discussing African history, particularly the Moors.

Moorish history is significant in mainstream African history and is of great interest to the African diaspora.

The Moors represent a sense of glory for Afro-descended people, as their history demands respect and cannot be ignored.

The identity of the Moors is often challenged, prompting a need for a better understanding of who they were.

The term 'Moors' broadly referred to Muslims from North Africa, including Amazigh populations and other Africans from further south.

The Moors were not exclusively black but included a diverse range of ethnic groups.

The Almoravids and the Almohads are two Moorish dynasties of particular interest in the context of African history.

Islam's spread across North Africa in the 7th century led to the creation of Islamic armies, which later became known as the Moors.

Black soldiers have been used in the Middle East since ancient times, becoming known as Moors due to Islam's mobilization.

African soldiers, especially from Nubia, were renowned for their archery skills and were in high demand even before the Arab conquest.

The recruitment of black soldiers became central to Moorish military strategy, providing loyalty and diversity to their ranks.

Ahmad Tulan, the first independent ruler of Muslim Egypt, relied heavily on black soldiers, particularly from Sudan.

The 9th century marked a significant shift in the Moors' identity, with black soldiers becoming a dominant force in their armies.

Europeans often depicted the power of the Moors through images of black men, reflecting their presence in Moorish armies.

The focus on the Almoravids and Almohads highlights the contribution of Afro-descended people to Moorish history.

Jacob Al-Mansur of the Almohads, considered one of the greatest Moorish leaders, had a black mother from Mali or Senegal.

The need for control over soldiers led North African Amazigh rulers to favor black soldiers, who were less likely to form alliances with local populations.

The tradition of black soldiers continued in Morocco after the Moors' expulsion from Spain, with Sultan Malay Ismail employing a large black army.

A balanced view of Moorish history is necessary, recognizing the contributions of Afro-descended people while acknowledging the diversity of the Moors.

Transcripts

so i had to do this video over due to

copyright issues

my deepest apologies for the unintended

infringement

anyway if you've already seen this video

please forgive me for the repost

but i think it's an important discussion

on african history

morris history is probably top three as

it concerns mainstream african history

the african diaspora can't seem to get

enough of it the moors represent so many

different things to us as aphrodisiac

people

but perhaps the most valuable thing this

history achieves for us

is a sense that afro-descended people

achieved glory

why well because moore's history simply

demands respect

and cannot be ignored however despite

all this

moore's history for afro-descended

people has always carried an

asterix a blemish if you will because

the identity of the moors

is constantly challenged so today i

wanted us to get a better understanding

about who the moors were

and talk about our role as

afro-descended people

in establishing moore's legacy

[Music]

what about from world islamic here and

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history

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the term more itself consistently

referred to muslims from north africa

whether they were referring to the

various amazigh populations

or other africans who originated further

south in places like senegal

guinea or mali despite what we in the

diaspora may think

the term more is very broad and it's

been used interchangeably between these

two populations

and was never used exclusively to refer

to either of them in the literature

in some occasions you'd even hear

europeans differentiating between

the so-called white moors and blackmores

there are many morris dynasties we can

discuss but my focus will be the alma

ravids and the almohads so please keep

that in mind

when the african diaspora thinks about

or more they tend to think of the black

soldiers or rulers who conquered spain

but we hardly ever refer to the names of

the actual dynasties

who accomplish this it's important to be

specific when speaking about moore's

history

when islam spread across north africa in

the 7th century

many africans converted and created

their own islamic armies

to further the cause these armies later

became known

as the moors to various europeans it may

surprise some of us to learn that black

soldiers have been used in the middle

east

since ancient times they were not new it

was only because of the mobilization of

islam

and the great number in which various

africans joined forces

that they then became known as moors

later on in history

under various persian rulers africans

were employed as mercenaries and armies

to help conquer and control new regions

africans in nubia specifically had a

world renowned reputation

for being excellent archers and their

services were in high demand

even before the arabs swept across north

africa black soldiers were present in

their armies

one of the earliest mentions of a black

soldier or what europeans would later

refer to

as amor was named washi washi lived

during the time of muhammad

and it was said that he distinguished

himself in battle especially during the

capture of mecca

the truth is in the early days of islam

arabs began to extend their hand to

enslave people

whether they were from the middle east

or north africa they began to entice

them to join their armies

and in return they would gain freedom

this was an excellent strategy by the

arabs to gain a huge

loyal following and it greatly

diversified their military ranks

over time this strategy began to be used

amongst the amazigh populations who

converted to islam

in the 9th century north african slave

armies became more desirable

as ambitious amazigh governors sought

them out to create autonomous

principalities

they believed these soldiers from inner

africa would be loyal to them in

totality

because they didn't come from the ethnic

group of the governor

and so was not invested in the needs and

concerns of the majority population

the north african caliphs themselves

began to adopt this tradition

to comfortably enforce their power and

not

worry about any arab or amazigh

dissidents

in other words the recruitment of black

men further south

became the very backbone of moorish

supremacy

now it's important to understand that

black soldiers were always used in

islamic armies even before the 9th

century

but they did not become supreme if you

will until about this time

for example under the umayya dynasty the

first emir of cordoba in spain

abed al-rahman the first who came to the

throne in 756

was known to have kept a large personal

guard of black troops

he founded the muslim dynasty that ruled

a large portion of spain

for nearly three centuries and all his

successors used black soldiers

especially to maintain order now here is

where a lot of the confusion comes in

people may look at early morris history

and say well the moors were black people

however we can't ignore the presence of

arab or

amazigh soldiers in fact at various

times in morse history

there were more arab and amazigh

soldiers than black soldiers

especially before the 9th century if

there is to be any value in the

statement of saying

the moors were black people we have to

keep in mind that it's

time sensitive because when discussing

events before the 9th century

we can only use it to express how black

soldiers were used

to reinforce the sultan's power when the

9th century arose

the face of the moors began to change

fairly quickly

ahmad tulan who came to power in 884

the first independent rule of muslim

egypt began to rely heavily on black

soldiers

most of which came from sudan many of

them nubian

upon his death he's said to have

possessed 24 000 so-called white

soldiers

and 45 000 black soldiers in essence

his army consisted of black men his son

was protected by a thousand black

soldiers

alone one chronicler had this to say

wearing black cloaks and black turbans

so that a watcher

could fancy them to be a black sea

spreading over the face of the earth

because of the blackness of their color

and of their garments

with the glitter of their shields of the

chasing on their swords

and of the helmets under their turbans

they made a really splendid sight

so it would seem as though the 9th

century really ushered in the power of

black soldiers giving moorish armies its

distinction

any european army who had never seen

black soldiers in such great numbers

would have certainly spoken about it and

identified them as being the power of

the muslims

and if we look throughout the literature

this is indeed the case

this is why europeans in their artwork

often times represented the power of the

moors

with an image of a black man this is why

the focus on the amaravats and the

almohads is significant when speaking

about our contribution as afro-descended

people to maurice history

because these two moorish ruling

dynasties in spain

arguably used the most black soldiers

and had rulers

who were indistinguishable from the

various african ethnic groups further

south

like in the case of jacob al-manzur of

the amohats

whom i consider the greatest moorish

leader in the history of muslim spain

his mother was a black woman believed to

be from either mali or senegal

one of the primary reasons for the rapid

growth of black soldiers

was the need for north african amazigh

rulers to have

complete control over their soldiers and

not be challenged by

any intermediate power or opposing

ethnic loyalties

that would come from arabs or other

amazigh clans

it would be very difficult for black

soldiers originating from the interior

of africa

to rally up the local arab or amazigh

populace

because of the ideological social and

political divisions between them

it was black men who served to maintain

the ruler in his palace

protect the capital and uphold imperial

authority

the moorish tradition of black soldiers

continued to develop in morocco

centuries after their expulsion from

spain in 1492

in the 17th century to the early 18th

century the sultan of morocco

malay ismail made great use of black

soldiers to solidify

his power he himself was the son of an

arab prince

and a black woman male ismail felt the

immediate threat to his rule would come

from the arabs amazigs and the turks in

algeria

he assembled the largest army in

moroccan history

consisting of 250 000 black soldiers

allowing him to exert great authority

through which he was able to undermine

the power

and influence of local tribal groups in

his nation

malay went even further by demanding

that the other moroccan ethnic groups

turn over their weapons

and their horses to his all-black

moorish army

our agency in moore's history as

afro-descent people

cannot be denied as it so often has

there just needs to be balance when

speaking about the moors

we need to be specific about time

periods and dynasties

because diversity did indeed exist

moore's history is akin to a blanket we

just have to identify

our specific threat that makes up a part

of the whole

well i'm all out guys if you like these

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of remember your ancestors

peace