MORISCO Meaning and
Definition
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Morisco is a term that historically referred to a group of Muslims who were forced to convert to Christianity in the Iberian Peninsula during the late medieval and early modern period. The word is derived from the Spanish word "moro" meaning "Moor," which refers to the Muslim population of North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. Moriscos emerged as a result of the Reconquista, which was a series of military campaigns by Christian kingdoms to retake the Iberian Peninsula from Islamic rule.
The Moriscos were descendants of Muslims who had converted to Christianity but faced significant social, religious, and cultural discrimination. Despite their conversion, Moriscos were often viewed with suspicion and were subject to constant surveillance. They were prohibited from practicing their Islamic faith openly and were required to adopt Christian customs and traditions.
The Moriscos faced numerous challenges in maintaining their distinct Islamic identity, as their language, clothing, and cultural practices were heavily scrutinized. Acts of rebellion and resistance, including clandestine practice of Islam and participation in uprisings, occurred among some Moriscos. Additionally, Moriscos faced forced labor, restrictions on travel, and limited access to education.
Ultimately, in the early 17th century, the Spanish crown initiated a series of expulsions, forcibly removing the Moriscos from the country. This resulted in the dispersion of the Morisco community across various regions of North Africa and the Ottoman Empire.
Today, the term "Morisco" is primarily used in historical contexts to refer to this specific group of forcibly converted Muslims in Spain.
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Anything Moorish; the Moorish language; a dance.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for MORISCO
Etymology of MORISCO
The word "Morisco" is derived from the Spanish term "morisco", which ultimately comes from the Arabic word "muwallad" meaning "one who is born to an Arab father and a non-Arab mother".
During the medieval period, the term "morisco" was predominantly used in Spain to refer to the descendants of Muslims who had converted to Christianity. These converts were seen as culturally distinct from the Christian majority due to their Arab or Berber heritage and retained certain Islamic customs and practices in secret.
The term "morisco" was often used disparagingly to imply suspicion or doubt about the sincerity of their conversion to Christianity. It was essentially used as a derogatory label to identify those who were perceived as Muslims in disguise or potential threat to the Christian faith.
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