What is a taifa?
Q: What is a taifa?
A: A taifa was an independent Islamic Muslim-ruled principality that developed during the history of Iberia.
Q: How did taifas form?
A: Taifas formed after the end of the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordóba in 1031, due to an administrative division and ethnic division of its elite.
Q: Who were part of a taifa's elite?
A: The elite of a taifa was composed of Arabs (a powerful but tiny minority), Eastern European former slaves and Iberian Muslims (known as Muladíes).
Q: When did the second period when taifas developed occur?
A: The second period when taifas developed occurred in the middle of the 12th century, when the Almoravid dynasty was in decline.
Q: What did emirs do to gain cultural prestige?
A: Emirs tried to recruit famous poets and artisans in order to gain cultural prestige.
Q: How did Christian kingdoms respond to Muslim kingdoms?
A: Christian kingdoms were much stronger than Muslim kingdoms, so they had power over them and forced them to submit and pay tribute.
Q: What happened when North African warriors were invited by taifa princes?
A: When North African warriors were invited by taifa princes, they annexed their lands instead of helping them fight against Christian kings.
