Afro-Iraqis are Iraqi people of AfricanZanj heritage. Historically, their population has concentrated in the southern port city of Basra, as Basra was the capital of the slave trade in Iraq.[2] Afro-Iraqis speak Arabic and mostly adhere to Islam. Some Afro-Iraqis can still speak Swahili along with Arabic.[3] Afro-Iraqi leaders claim that there are roughly between 500,000 and 1,500,000 Afro-Iraqis, however this is not verified by official figures.[4][5][6][7] Their origins date back to the time of the Arab slave trade between the 9th century AD to the 19th century AD.[8][9] Many are from the district of Zubair, descendants of the people who came to Iraq from East Africa. Some came as sailors, whereas others came as traders, immigrants, religious scholars, or enslaved people over the course of many centuries, beginning in the 9th century CE.[10]
Arab myths[citation needed] agree that the Cushitic king Nimrod crossed from beyond the waters of Ethiopia in the earliest times with an army, and established a civilization. Many[which?] existing sites in Iraq are still named after Nimrod. The Quran does not mention Nimrod by name, but Arab stories about Nimrod have resulted in him being referenced as a tyrant in Muslim cultures.
Jewish tradition recounts the tale of King Nimrod as well. It is stated in the book of Genesis that Nimrod was a mighty hunter of great renown and the first to build cities over the face of the world. He ruled in Mesopotamia, which includes modern-day Iraq.
Because of the legendary Nimrod's Cushitic origin (often identified with the historical Kingdom of Kush in what is today southern Egypt and northern Sudan), many believe that Afro-Iraqis now living in areas are his literal descendents. This is unlikely to be literally true for all afro-Iraqi citizens, as their presence in Iraq dates back only to the 9th century CE,[10] whereas the Kingdom of Kush ended in the 6th century CE.
However Black Iraqis are the descendants of East African coastal Bantu peoples probably the Swahili people who were enslaved and brought to Iraq in the 9th century during the Arab slave trade of the Abbasid caliphate to work on agricultural fields or as laborers. Although some African migrants came to Iraq as sailors and laborers the majority were brought as slaves in the 9th century.[11]
Social conditionEdit
The Arab Muslim institution of slavery allowed enslaved people to own land, and enslavement was not generally hereditary. Conversion to Islam sometimes enabled enslaved people to escape their condition. Skin color played a distinctive role even amongst slaves, however, and discrimination based on skin colour existed, and continues to be a problem in Iraqi society. Today, many Afro-Iraqis activists report that they are denied job opportunities on the basis of their skin colour and ethnic background. Afro-Iraqis are well known as street musicians, as they historically experienced employment discrimination.[12][13] Afro-Iraqis are also frequently called "Abeed", a pejorative meaning "slave" in Arabic.[14]
HeritageEdit
Most Afro-Iraqis still are able to maintain rituals related to healing that are of Zanj origin. The languages used in these rituals are Swahili and Arabic. Percussion instruments such as drums and tambourines are used in these ceremonies. Songs such as Dawa Dawa are in a syncretic mixture of Arabic and Swahili. The song, which is about curing people of illness, is used in the shtanga ceremony, for physical health. Another ceremony, called nouba, takes its name from the Arabic word for paroxysm or shift, as Sophi performers take turns at chanting and dancing to ritualistic hymns.[3] There are also unique ceremonies to remember the dead and for occasions such as weddings.[12] Although the vast majority of Afro-Iraqis are Muslim, a shrinking minority still practices these traditions.[15][16] Few Afro-Iraqis can still speak Swahili.[3]
^. Minority Rights Group International. 2013-05-08. Archived from the original on 2013-06-12. Black or African Iraqis, who number between 1.5 and 2 million, are believed to have first migrated from East Africa to Iraq after the birth of Islam.
^Karlos Zurutuza (2011-10-12). "To Be Black in Iraq". Inter Press Service. Basra. Salah Ruhais Salman, vice-president of the Iraqi Freedom Movement, a political party established to defend the rights of Iraqis of African descent ... [says] "There are around 1.5 million of us in Iraq but none of us occupies any position in the Iraqi administration."
^Ali Mamouri (2013-06-26). . Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. It is noteworthy that their marginalization persists although they exceed about 1.5 million, according to the Free Iraqi Movement Vice President Salah Ruhais Salman, or 2 million, according to a statement made by the secretary-general of the movement, Abdel Hussein Abdel Razzak.
^Achilli A, Olivieri A, Pala M, et al. (April 2007). "Mitochondrial DNA variation of modern Tuscans supports the near eastern origin of Etruscans". American Journal of Human Genetics. 80 (4): 759–68. doi:10.1086/512822. PMC1852723. PMID 17357081.
^Abu-Amero KK, González AM, Larruga JM, Bosley TM, Cabrera VM (2007). "Eurasian and African mitochondrial DNA influences in the Saudi Arabian population". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 7: 32. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-7-32. PMC1810519. PMID 17331239.
^ ab"Black Iraqis". Minority Rights. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
^"Refworld | World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Iraq : Black Iraqis".
afro, iraqis, iraqi, people, african, zanj, heritage, historically, their, population, concentrated, southern, port, city, basra, basra, capital, slave, trade, iraq, speak, arabic, mostly, adhere, islam, some, still, speak, swahili, along, with, arabic, afro, . Afro Iraqis are Iraqi people of African Zanj heritage Historically their population has concentrated in the southern port city of Basra as Basra was the capital of the slave trade in Iraq 2 Afro Iraqis speak Arabic and mostly adhere to Islam Some Afro Iraqis can still speak Swahili along with Arabic 3 Afro Iraqi leaders claim that there are roughly between 500 000 and 1 500 000 Afro Iraqis however this is not verified by official figures 4 5 6 7 Their origins date back to the time of the Arab slave trade between the 9th century AD to the 19th century AD 8 9 Many are from the district of Zubair descendants of the people who came to Iraq from East Africa Some came as sailors whereas others came as traders immigrants religious scholars or enslaved people over the course of many centuries beginning in the 9th century CE 10 Afro Iraqisعراقيون أفارقةTotal population1 500 000 2 000 000 Self proclaimed 1 Regions with significant populationsBasra Maysan Dhi QarLanguagesArabic Minority Swahili bilingual also speak Arabic ReligionShia IslamRelated ethnic groupsAfro Jordanians Afro Palestinians Afro Syrians Afro Saudis Al Akhdam Afro Omanis Contents 1 Mythic origins 2 Social condition 3 Heritage 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksMythic origins EditArab myths citation needed agree that the Cushitic king Nimrod crossed from beyond the waters of Ethiopia in the earliest times with an army and established a civilization Many which existing sites in Iraq are still named after Nimrod The Quran does not mention Nimrod by name but Arab stories about Nimrod have resulted in him being referenced as a tyrant in Muslim cultures Jewish tradition recounts the tale of King Nimrod as well It is stated in the book of Genesis that Nimrod was a mighty hunter of great renown and the first to build cities over the face of the world He ruled in Mesopotamia which includes modern day Iraq Because of the legendary Nimrod s Cushitic origin often identified with the historical Kingdom of Kush in what is today southern Egypt and northern Sudan many believe that Afro Iraqis now living in areas are his literal descendents This is unlikely to be literally true for all afro Iraqi citizens as their presence in Iraq dates back only to the 9th century CE 10 whereas the Kingdom of Kush ended in the 6th century CE However Black Iraqis are the descendants of East African coastal Bantu peoples probably the Swahili people who were enslaved and brought to Iraq in the 9th century during the Arab slave trade of the Abbasid caliphate to work on agricultural fields or as laborers Although some African migrants came to Iraq as sailors and laborers the majority were brought as slaves in the 9th century 11 Social condition EditThe Arab Muslim institution of slavery allowed enslaved people to own land and enslavement was not generally hereditary Conversion to Islam sometimes enabled enslaved people to escape their condition Skin color played a distinctive role even amongst slaves however and discrimination based on skin colour existed and continues to be a problem in Iraqi society Today many Afro Iraqis activists report that they are denied job opportunities on the basis of their skin colour and ethnic background Afro Iraqis are well known as street musicians as they historically experienced employment discrimination 12 13 Afro Iraqis are also frequently called Abeed a pejorative meaning slave in Arabic 14 Heritage EditMost Afro Iraqis still are able to maintain rituals related to healing that are of Zanj origin The languages used in these rituals are Swahili and Arabic Percussion instruments such as drums and tambourines are used in these ceremonies Songs such as Dawa Dawa are in a syncretic mixture of Arabic and Swahili The song which is about curing people of illness is used in the shtanga ceremony for physical health Another ceremony called nouba takes its name from the Arabic word for paroxysm or shift as Sophi performers take turns at chanting and dancing to ritualistic hymns 3 There are also unique ceremonies to remember the dead and for occasions such as weddings 12 Although the vast majority of Afro Iraqis are Muslim a shrinking minority still practices these traditions 15 16 Few Afro Iraqis can still speak Swahili 3 See also Edit Iraq portal Africa portalAfro Arab Afro Iranians Afro Turks Afro Palestinians Arab slave trade Afro Saudis Swahili people Zanj Zanj EmpireReferences Edit Refworld World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples Iraq Black Iraqis Hidden in Plain Sight Basra s Legacy of Slavery 14 January 2004 a b c السماح رقص التسامي الجمعي أرواحا وأجسادا د خير الدين عبد الرحمن Albahethon Retrieved 2017 01 03 دخلك بتعرف السود العراقيون الأفرو عراقيون دخلك بتعرف دخلك بتعرف in Arabic 2017 06 04 Retrieved 2022 02 23 MRG condemns killing of Black Iraqi leader in Basra calls for full investigation into his death Minority Rights Group International 2013 05 08 Archived from the original on 2013 06 12 Black or African Iraqis who number between 1 5 and 2 million are believed to have first migrated from East Africa to Iraq after the birth of Islam Karlos Zurutuza 2011 10 12 To Be Black in Iraq Inter Press Service Basra Salah Ruhais Salman vice president of the Iraqi Freedom Movement a political party established to defend the rights of Iraqis of African descent says There are around 1 5 million of us in Iraq but none of us occupies any position in the Iraqi administration Ali Mamouri 2013 06 26 Black Iraqis Struggle to Shake Legacy of Racism Archived from the original on 2013 06 28 It is noteworthy that their marginalization persists although they exceed about 1 5 million according to the Free Iraqi Movement Vice President Salah Ruhais Salman or 2 million according to a statement made by the secretary general of the movement Abdel Hussein Abdel Razzak Achilli A Olivieri A Pala M et al April 2007 Mitochondrial DNA variation of modern Tuscans supports the near eastern origin of Etruscans American Journal of Human Genetics 80 4 759 68 doi 10 1086 512822 PMC 1852723 PMID 17357081 Abu Amero KK Gonzalez AM Larruga JM Bosley TM Cabrera VM 2007 Eurasian and African mitochondrial DNA influences in the Saudi Arabian population BMC Evolutionary Biology 7 32 doi 10 1186 1471 2148 7 32 PMC 1810519 PMID 17331239 a b Black Iraqis Minority Rights 29 November 2017 Retrieved 17 June 2022 Refworld World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples Iraq Black Iraqis a b A Legacy Hidden in Plain Sight dead link Descendants of Iraq s black rebels back Obama Arabic Speakers on Twitter Campaign to Make Abeed the New N Word To be Black in Iraq 12 October 2011 Black Iraqis 29 November 2017 External links EditThe hidden Black Iraq Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Afro Iraqis amp oldid 1166658548, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
