Moors

:For the terrain type, see: Heath (habitat). For the figure in heraldry, see Maure. For the archaic racial category see Moors (race).

Present-day Moors

In modern usage, Moor or Moorish (Spanish: moro, French: maure) is used to designate people whose native tongue is the Hassaniya dialect of Arabic. Moors live mainly in Western Sahara and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the latter of which has got its name from them, too.

Related Topics:
Spanish - French - Hassaniya - Arabic - Western Sahara - Islamic Republic of Mauritania

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Ethnically, the Moors are divided into two main groups: White Moors and Black Moors. White Moors (Arabic: ???????, transliterated: al-b???n?) are nomads of Arabo-Berber origin with relatively fair skin colour. Black Moors (Arabic: ???????) are generally considered to stem from former slave populations of White Moors who have adopted the customs and language of their masters. Nowadays, slavery being officially abolished, most Black Moors live an independent life, although some stay underprivileged and repressed. Still according to some reports, slavery does exist in some parts of Mauritania, at least. The Black Moors do not identify themselves with other black population of their home countries, even significant ones.

Related Topics:
Arabic - Transliterated - Arabo - Berber

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