Book Review of "A History of Muslim Sicily" by Leonard C. Chiarelli

 

Summary: 
Leonard C. Chiarelli continues the landmark work of Michele Amari and Carlo Nallino, who first compiled the historical documents of the Muslim era of Sicily, which were primarily in Arabic and started to rediscover this important and influential period of time. Chiarelli adds on to what has been established and brings deeper insights and evidence of the established and rule of Muslims in Sicily, including describing the political structure, the social structure, the economy, and the culture. One of his landmark finding through his research is the strong presence of Berber culture, including the deep connection to the Ibadi school of Islam. This books lays a deep foundation for understanding Muslim presence, rule, and impact on Sicily.

Key Quote, Information, or Chapter:

- Sicily was colony of Aghlabids, and later the Fatimids, meaning it was culturally, economically, and politically part of North Africa

- Sicilians would go as far as India to establish trade partners for the Ifriqiyah-Sicily-Egypt trade route.

- Slavery was not the largest part of this trade, but did exist, and included human trafficking from the Balkans as well as from parts of Africa

- Slavery did function different, and were able to advance in society in different ways, famous examples include St. Elias the Younger, Jawhar ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Siquilli

- This was not restricted to the coast, there is evidence of an Ibadite community in Enna that had a strong economic trade with the Sudan - there were multiple Berber tribes, alliances, and groups throughout Sicily that have lent placenames, family names, and words that persist to today

- The Barqajanah Ibadite community was strong in Palermo

The Ibadi Muslim sect is still a part of the Islam today, most widely in Oman, but with small communities of believes throughout North Africa, including Tunisia (which is how it found its way to Sicily).

- Murabbitu - A Sicilian word that refers to a hermit or someone that abstains from drinking wine and alcohol - has it’s originz from “ribats” which were former military structures that were converted for use by Sufi mystics near Palermo, Sciacca, Agrigento, Qasr Nubu (Castronovo), Bulis (Polizzi), Alia, Sutir (Sutera), Qaqabush (Caccamo), Mineo, and Salemi

- Most famous Sicilian Sufi was Abu ‘Uthman Sa’id ibn Sallam al-Kirkinti of Agrigento - “Whoever prefers the company of the rich to the gathers of the poor will by tried by God with the death of the heart.”

- Coptic Christians from Egypt formed a community near Monreale

- Several Muslim Sicilians were experts in Arabic grammar and the Koran

Reflections of il Moro:
Chiarelli’s work has provided the evidence and history for something that Sicilians have long known - that there is a deep-rooted strong connection to Africa. Sicily came under Muslim rule at a time when Ifriqiyah had recently converted to Islam, and the development of Islam was at a pivotal point. A History of Muslim Sicily outlines the ways in which Berber culture and traditions were interwoven into “Muslim” rule. The Berbers established connections to mercenaries in Sudan, trade in Egypt, scholarship and tribal ties to Morocco, the salt trade across the continent, even Coptic communities near Palermo. There absolutely were also ethnic Arabs and peoples from the Levant, but the evidence of the Berbers and the impact that they had was something that Sicilians acknowledge, and something that Chiarelli provides the evidence for in this book. It provides a greater picture of what this history means.

Book Review of "Where Three Worlds Met" by Sarah Davis-Secord

 

Summary: 
Sarah Davis-Secord uses a variety of sources, including legal court records, ship records, business records, and testimonies of the life of Christian saints to paint a picture of the time when Sicily was ruled via Byzantine Constantinople, the time of Muslim rule through Ifriqiya, and the time or Normans coming into power. The "three worlds" are Christians (the Byzantines, and then the Normans), Muslims (Arabs and Berbers via Ifriqiya/Tunisia), and Jewish people, who were heavily involved in trade throughout the Mediterranean. "Where Three Worlds Met," is incredibly well researched. Davis-Secord is clear when there is strong evidence and when there is limited evidence. She has painstakingly documented her sources, and is clear on her claims.

Key Quote, Information, or Chapter: 
There is so much detailed information in this book! Here are a few parts that stuck out to me:
- Sicilian-Arab coins, the quarter dinars, came to be used throughout the Mediterranean, and were replicated in Salerno. Davis-Secord suggests that this shows trade networks throughout the peninsula at a time when there were established networks with Ifriqiya, Cairo, and al-Andalus.
- When Normans started to come into Sicily, many Muslims stayed, many converted, and some also left. Some of those that left retained the nisba of "al-Siqilli" or "The Sicilian" indicated a long lineage of North Africans whose families were based in Sicily or came from Sicily.
- Although some of those of North African heritage fled Sicily, others were still immigrating to the island, as were some Jews because Tunisia was suffering from drought and food shortages.
- Ultimately, despite being a place of nexus, Sicily's centeredness gave way to Northern Italian merchant control, especially after Norman rule was established.
- The trade and exchange between these three worlds was extensive, there was constant cultural, economics, and political change over time. The population of the island increased significantly under Muslim rule, while still maintaining a strong Jewish population, and a continued Greek-Christian population.
- This really only scratches the surface of some of the later chapters, there is much more in the book!

Reflections of il Moro: 
This books gave me stronger insights into the development of Sicily moving from part of the the Greek East, ruled by Constantinople, and centered in Sircusa, to being a part of North Africa, with power and culture shifting toward Palermo, and then shifting toward Latin Europe with rule of the Normans, who were aligned (mostly) with the Pope. When reading of this history, you can see that the people of Sicily today are the decedents of Eastern peoples from Greece/Constantinople/Syria, and the decedents of Arabs and Berbers, with Arabic-speaking Jewish people in the mix as well. It is hard to believe that Sicily took such a strong swing toward Latin Christianity. The de-centralization of Sicily is also clear, as it fell into less importance, and started a trend of backwards progress. This continues later in history as a Spanish colony, and more recently as part of the Italian republic. This is likely why the Normans are so revered on the island (as is the history of the Muslims and Byzantines). The Normans were in many ways the last period of Sicilians prosperity, and the culmination of these three worlds. It is a shame that so much was lost to history. As the Sicilian-Arab folk character, Giufa, would say, "Alas!"