Aljamiado

Aljamiado, also known as Aljamía, refers to texts written primarily in a Romance language (most commonly Spanish, but also Portuguese or Aragonese) using the Arabic script. The term derives from the Arabic word ʿajamī, meaning "foreign" or "non-Arab," originally used to describe non-Arabic speakers. In the context of the Iberian Peninsula during and after the Reconquista, it specifically described Christians living under Muslim rule (Mozarabs) and later, Muslims (Moriscos) who were forced to convert to Christianity but continued to use Arabic script to write their Romance vernaculars.

Aljamiado texts served as a means of preserving and transmitting religious, legal, and literary knowledge within Morisco communities, especially after the forced conversions and subsequent restrictions on the use of Arabic. Because these communities often faced persecution and were forced to outwardly conform to Christian practices, Aljamiado allowed them to maintain their cultural and religious identity in a clandestine manner.

The subjects covered in Aljamiado literature are diverse, encompassing religious instruction (explanations of the Quran, the Sunnah, and Islamic law), narratives of prophets and historical figures, poetry, folk tales, and even practical manuals on topics such as medicine and agriculture. The language used in these texts reflects the spoken dialects of the Morisco communities, providing valuable insights into the evolution of Iberian Romance languages.

Aljamiado texts are crucial sources for understanding the history, culture, and religious beliefs of the Moriscos. Studying them offers a unique perspective on the complex interactions between Islam and Christianity in medieval and early modern Spain and Portugal, revealing how a marginalized community adapted to and resisted cultural assimilation.