Moro-Moro Criticism and Aesthetics: al-Andalus and the Moors and Christians Philippine Theatre
Isaac DONOSO
Original title: Crítica i Estètica del Moro-moro: Al-àndalus i el teatre filipí. De moros i cristians
Published in
Keywords: Al-Andalus, Alcoy, Hispanic Conquest’s Dramas, Komedya, Moro-Moro, Moros y Cristianos, Muslim-Christian Relations, Philippines.
This article analyzes the influence of al-Andalus in Asia and its paramount role in the definition of Islamicity in the Philippines. It studies the theatrical genre called Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians) which originated in Valencia ―in particular in Alcoy― and later attained a worldwide dissemination. The article describes the main elements of this genre (and the general festivities within which it takes place) as well as the ideological underpinnings of the battles between Muslims and Christians that take place during these festivities. The main purpose of the study is to identify cultural trends in the formation of the Komedya in the Philippines and the creation of the Moro-Morista tradition.