Initially, the people referred to as Moors were Muslim residents in the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Algeria and Morocco. The moors referred to their Iberian territory as Al-Andalus, and comprised of most of Spain and Portugal, and parts of Gibraltar and France. Moors are also known to have inhabited South Italy after successfully occupying Mazara in 9th century up until their settlement was destroyed. The term “Moors” has been drawn on in Europe to refer to Muslims, particularly those of African or Arab origins (Sertima, 1992).
The most notable contribution that moors brought to the European culture was diversity in many ways. One of such ways is through religion; the moors practiced Islam while most “Europeans” were Christians. This ultimately led to a century-long conflict referred to as the Reconquista between the two sides. The fall of Granada (492) signified the end of Islam rule in Iberia. Over the centuries that the moors inhabited what is present Europe, their culture helped develop the region significantly. Their architecture was unique and some of their masterpieces still stand today such as the mezquita in Cordoba and the Giralda. The art to make costumes also went a long way in contributing to the development of Europe (Sertima, 1992).
*Sertima, I. V. (1992). The Golden Age of the Moor. Transaction Publishers.