Black History Month fact #15
711 to 1492 Spain, as it is now known, was ruled by Black African Moors.
The etymology of the word ‘Moor’ is black, or dark. Moors were a mix of Black African and Arabic Muslims who ruled Spain and the rest of the Iberian peninsula between 711 and 1492.
The Moors were constantly defending against invading Christian Europeans from the north. This period as we are brainwashed to know from K-12 is called the Reconquista, or the reconquest, during the Christian/Muslim war of the Crusades.
Nevertheless, Al-Andalus, or Moorish Iberia, flourished in the arts, sciences, medicine, religion, culture, and architecture. Córdoba was one capitol of the several caliphates on the peninsula, and was one of the most advanced and populous cities in the world at the time, as well as a great cultural, political, financial and economic center.
Rule under these kingdoms saw the rise in cultural exchange and cooperation between Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Under the Caliphate of Córdoba, al-Andalus was a beacon of learning, and the city of Córdoba became one of the leading cultural and economic centres in both the Mediterranean Basin and the Islamic world.
Moorish contributions to Western Europe and especially to Spain were almost incalculable—in art and architecture, medicine and science, and learning (especially ancient Greek learning).
Hence, ASAH readers, why people refer to Ferdinand as an “Iberian Moor”. *reads things occasionally*
Abram Petrovich Gannibal (1696-1781)
Born in Eritrea, the boy who would eventually become known as Abram Petrovich Gannibal sold into slavery in Constantinople at the age of 7. A year later, he was bought by Russian traders as a gift for Emperor Peter the Great. (It was super trendy to have black children in royal courts at the time.) Peter adopted him and raised him as his own child, having him educated at all the best schools. He went to Paris and hung out with Voltaire and other Enlightenment figures.
Following the death of Peter the Great, Gannibal was exiled to Siberia, but was brought back when his skills at military engineering were recognized. He rose through the military ranks, eventually becoming superintendent of what is now Tallinn, Estonia.
Also: Gannibal was the great-grandfather of Alexander Pushkin.
black history month.
yellow peril, brown berets, and black panthers protesting outside a courthouse where huey p. newton was being tried. a beautiful example of different cultures coming together for change.
