Social interaction Social and cultural exchange in Al-Andalus

1 social interaction

1.1 muslims
1.2 christians
1.3 jews

social interaction

the muslim umayyad conquest of iberian peninsula signaled coming of 3 different religions , social customs , culture associated each. period has become known convivencia, meaning culture of coexistence. although idea of culture of tolerance disputed historians, few instances of revolts , violence recorded. not mean discrimination muslims did not occur @ local level. however, more educated classes of muslims respected christians , jews under islamic law dhimmis (protected peoples) or ‘peoples of book.’ important note muslim , berber soldiers carried out conquest formed small minority of population of iberian peninsula. emergence of unique islamic society formed in al-andalus slow , uneven process. in order understand how these distinct cultures , societies meshed one, on time, important recognize distinct each , how viewed within broader society.

muslims

a self-depiction muslims in iberia. taken tale of bayad , riyad.

in al-andalus, muslims divided 3 distinct ethnic groups. largest group berbers. important note these berbers, came north africa, sedentary in lifestyle, not confused nomadic berbers found in same geographic region of north africa. in terms of social class, after invasion, berbers went on form rural proletariat. although number of them went cities, working pursue crafts. in terms of religion berbers muslims, ancestors having converted share in wealth of arab conquests.

the second group of muslims found in al-andalus arabs. formed relatively small section of al-andalus’ total population. tended have higher economic position in society , constituted majority of ruling class. owned land in richest parts of country. important cultural elements brought them language , arabic tradition of learning , high culture, emulated found in caliphate of damascus. however, actual amount of culture these arab invaders brought them has been disputed historians. historian w. montgomery watt argues ancestors of arabs came invade iberian peninsula had been living rough life in steppes of arabia, actual invaders had little time acquire high level of culture. these arab , berber invaders busy consolidating control, having little time , money devote purposefully spreading culture newly conquered regions. iberian umayyad golden age also, in part, result of geographic location , relative isolation central part of arabian empire. these umayyad rulers felt need prove equals of in homeland. combined need prove worth independent region. can concluded invading arabs brought level of culture peninsula, high culture achieved during golden age of al-andalus result of combination , growth multiple cultures present in geographic area.

the muwallads, or muslims of iberian descent, far more numerous of purely arabic descent. composed of descended marriages of original invading arabs native women of iberia along converted islam choice since invasions. muwallads adopted arabic genealogies , became further fused arabs ethnically on time. 10th century, no clear distinction existed between muwallads , arab muslims , 10th century, muslims represented 80% of total population of al-andalus, including christian converts , berber muslims.

christians

the christians living in al-andalus, both before , after invasion, visigoths, hispano-romans, , native tribes of iberian peninsula. visigoths , hispano-romans formed noble class prior arab-berber invasion. christian population whole predominantly catholic, although paganism , arianism still persisted in areas, mixing catholic tradition. under christian visigoth rule, tradition of learning had been established @ seville isidore (636 ad). on time, seville became 1 of leading intellectual centers of christian europe. isidorian tradition seems have been abandoned in favor of arabic tradition, although undoubtedly played role in further development of arabic tradition on peninsula. after muslim invasion, christians classified under islamic law dhimmis (protected peoples). status allowed them practice religion freely under umayyad dynasty. christians allowed maintain many of churches , organization of church remained intact, exception of confiscation of many catholic properties. bishops , other high ranking church officials had approved caliphate before take office. although culturally many christians adopted arabic tradition, cultural tradition of catholic church , culture had developed under visigoths maintained in monasteries monks. strong monastic tradition throughout southern portion of iberian peninsula continued flourish , develop under muslim rule. within cities, christians able rise prominent positions within umayyad bureaucracy. 1 example of christian adopted name of [abu umar ibn gundislavus], became vizier under abd al-rahman iii. example being, revemund, christian secretary under same ruler , later sent ambassador germany in 955-6. became bishop of elvira. important note christian artisans, eastern roman empire, called work on various building projects in caliphate of cordoba. of these artisans remained integrated andalusian society. although christians lost absolute dominant status had experienced in iberia, still able gain positions of prominence under muslim rule, however, these conditions deteriorated almoravids , almohads (see restrictions imposed on christians , jews).

jews

jews formed iota, yet significant ethnic minority in iberian peninsula, constituting 5% of total population in al-andalus. began settle in iberian peninsula in significant numbers around 1st century ad. under christian visigothic rule, jews faced persecution. in 613, visigothic king sisebut issued decree forced jews convert christianity or exiled , have property confiscated. comes no surprise many jews welcomed muslim rulers , saw muslim conquest of iberian peninsula deliverance. after conquest, under islamic law, jews categorized dhimmis, having same social standing christians. jewish communities scattered throughout rural areas of al-andalus remained isolated, jews living in cities , towns, in cordoba became integrated islamic culture , society.

jews came hold influential positions in umayyad bureaucracy. 1 example jewish scholar , physician hasdai b. sharprut, served diplomat of umayyad government. many jews living in cities became involved in trade merchants. under caliphate of cordoba, jews experienced [a golden age of jewish culture] within spain, in jewish scholars, philosophers, , poets prospered. jews contributed scientific , mathematic fields of study prominent in cordoba @ time. overall, jews granted better treatment, coming of muslims invaders, had experience under christian rule. conditions deteriorated under almoravid , almohad rule (see restrictions imposed on christians , jews).