Moriscos Lives by Themselves

This paper explores the religious, cultural, and autobiographical dimensions of Mudejar and Morisco writings, with a particular focus on pilgrimage narratives and personal testimonies. It examines how these texts, shaped by the collective struggles and spiritual devotion of the Islamic communities in Iberia, balance communal obligations with rare glimpses of individual expression. Through detailed analyses of key works, such as Ibn Al-Ṣabbāḥ’s Niṣāb al-akhbār wa-taḏkirat al-akhyār, Omar Patón’s Memorial de ida y venida hasta Meca, and the writings of the Mancebo de Arévalo, the study highlights how these writings serve as enduring testimonies of resilience and identity preservation. By situating these texts within their historical and sociocultural contexts, the paper underscores their significance as both religious records and personal reflections, bridging the individual and collective memory of Morisco and Mudejar communities under adversity.