One of the most common themes in portuguese folkstories is the “enchanted Moura”, a magical being imprisoned in a specific place, guarding a treasure and/or asking travellers to free her from a spell. Most believe these legends are related to the Arab invasion to the Iberian Peninsula in the 7th century, since the word “moura” means “moorish woman”. But these legends are centuries older than the North African invasions, and are found in areas the Islamic Empire did not conqueronly or rulled for a very short period of time, so very little Islamic influence was left there
Mouros and the Mourama
Mouros and the Mourama
Mouros and the Mourama
One of the most common themes in portuguese folkstories is the “enchanted Moura”, a magical being imprisoned in a specific place, guarding a treasure and/or asking travellers to free her from a spell. Most believe these legends are related to the Arab invasion to the Iberian Peninsula in the 7th century, since the word “moura” means “moorish woman”. But these legends are centuries older than the North African invasions, and are found in areas the Islamic Empire did not conqueronly or rulled for a very short period of time, so very little Islamic influence was left there