The Abencerrages.
A GRAND line of distinction existed among the Moslems of Spain,
between those of Oriental origin and those from Western Africa.
Among the former the Arabs considered themselves the purest race, as
being descended from the countrymen of the Prophet, who first raised
the standard of Islam; among the latter, the most warlike and powerful
were the Berber tribes from Mount Atlas and the deserts of Sahara,
commonly known as Moors, who subdued the tribes of the sea-coast,
founded the city of Morocco, and for a long time disputed with the
oriental races the control of Moslem Spain.
Among the oriental races the Abencerrages held a distinguished rank,
priding themselves on a pure Arab descent from the Beni Seraj, one
of the tribes who were Ansares or Companions of the Prophet. The
Abencerrages flourished for a time at Cordova; but probably repaired
to Granada after the downfall of the Western Caliphat; it was there
they attained their historical and romantic celebrity, being
foremost among the splendid chivalry which graced the court of the
Alhambra.
Their highest and most dangerous prosperity was during the
precarious reign of Muhamed Nasar, surnamed El Hayzari, or the
Left-handed. That ill-starred monarch, when he ascended the throne
in 1423, lavished his favors upon this gallant line, making the head
of the tribe, Yusef Aben Zeragh, his vizier, or prime minister, and
advancing his relatives and friends to the most distinguished posts
about the court.
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