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Black History Study Tours presents
'The Magnificant Journey of the Moors'
Spain & Morocco Tour
28 September - 5 October 2013
For more information, click here
SPACES ARE GOING FAST SO BOOK NOW!
LAST CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THIS TOUR AS WE ARE MOVING ON TO OTHER LOCATIONS!
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15 THINGS YOU DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE MOORS!
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 NUMBER 1
The Spanish occupation by the Moors began in
711 AD when an African army, under their leader
Tariq ibn-Ziyad, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from northern Africa and invaded the Iberian peninsula
'Andalus' (Spain under the Visigoths).
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NUMBER 2
 A European scholar sympathetic to the Spaniards remembered the conquest in this way: [T]he reins of their (Moors) horses were as fire, their faces black as pitch, their eyes shone like burning candles, their horses were swift as leopards and the riders fiercer than a wolf in a sheepfold at night . . . The noble Goths [the German rulers of Spain to whom Roderick belonged] were broken in an hour, quicker than tongue can tell. Oh luckless Spain!
[i] Quoted in Edward Scobie, The Moors and Portugal's Global Expansion, in Golden Age of the Moor, ed Ivan Van Sertima, US, Transaction Publishers, 1992, p.336
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 NUMBER 3
The Moors introduced new scientific techniques to Europe, such as an astrolabe, a device for measuring the position of the stars and planets. Scientific progress in Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Geography and Philosophy flourished in Moorish Spain.
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 NUMBER 4
Basil Davidson, one of the most noted historians recognized and declared that there were no lands at that time (the eighth century)
"more admired by its neighbours, or more comfortable to live in, than a rich African civilisation which took shape in Spain."
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NUMBER 5
 At its height, Cordoba, the heart of Moorish territory in Spain, was the most modern city in Europe. The streets were well-paved, with raised sidewalks for pedestrians.
During the night, ten miles of streets were well illuminated by lamps. (This was hundreds of years before there was a paved street in Paris or a street lamp in London.)
Cordoba had 900 public baths - we are told that a poor Moor would go without bread rather than soap!
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 NUMBER 6
The Great Mosque of C�rdoba
(La Mezquita) is still one of the architectural wonders of the world in spite of later Spanish disfigurements. Its low scarlet and gold roof, supported by 1,000 columns of marble, jasper and porphyry, was lit by thousands of brass and silver lamps which burned perfumed oil.
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NUMBER 7
Education was universal in Moorish Spain, available to all, while in Christian Europe ninety-nine percent of the population were illiterate, and even kings could neither read nor write. At that time, Europe had only two universities, the Moors had seventeen great universities! These were located in Almeria, Cordoba, Granada, Juen, Malaga, Seville and Toledo.
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 NUMBER 8
In the tenth and eleventh centuries, public libraries in Europe were non-existent, while Moorish Spain could boast of more than seventy, of which the one in Cordoba housed six hundred thousand manuscripts.
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NUMBER 9
Over 4,000 Arabic words and Arabic-derived phrases have been absorbed into the Spanish language. Words beginning with "al," for example, are derived from Arabic.
Arabic words such as algebra, alcohol, chemistry, nadir, alkaline and cipher entered the language. Even words such as checkmate, influenza, typhoon, orange, and cable can be traced back to Arabic origins.
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 NUMBER 10
The most significant Moorish musician was known as Ziryab (the Blackbird) who arrived in Spain in 822 AD. The Moors introduced earliest versions of several instruments, including the Lute or el oud, the guitar or kithara and the Lyre. Ziryab also changed the style of eating by breaking meals into separate courses beginning with soup and ending with desserts.
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NUMBER 11
The Moors introduced paper to Europe and Arabic numerals, which replaced the Roman system.
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NUMBER 12
The Moors introduced many new crops including the orange, lemon, peach, apricot, fig, sugar cane, dates, ginger and pomegranate as well as saffron, cotton, silk and rice which remain some of Spain's main products today.
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NUMBER 13
The Moorish rulers lived in sumptuous palaces, while the monarchs of Germany, France, and England dwelt in big barns, with no windows and no chimneys, and with only a hole in the roof for the exit of smoke.
One such Moorish palace 'Alhambra' (literally "the red one") in Granada is one of Spain's architectural masterpieces. Alhambra was the seat of Muslim rulers from the 13th century to the end of the 15th century. The Alhambra is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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NUMBER 14
It was through Africa that the new knowledge of China, India, and Arabia reached Europe. The Moors brought the Compass from China into Europe.
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NUMBER 15
The Moors ruled and occupied Lisbon (named "Lashbuna" by the Moors) and the rest of the country until well into the twelfth century. They were finally defeated and driven out by the forces of King Alfonso Henriques. The scene of this battle was the Castelo de Sao Jorge or the 'Castle of St. George.'  | | When the Moors Ruled Portugal- Photos from Research Trip |
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Tel / Fax: 0208 881 0660 Mobile: 07951 234233
Email: info@bhstours.com
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