Monfíes, fiesta del Monfí, Cútar

The Moriscos were Moriscos—Muslims forcibly converted to Christianity—who, after the conquest of Granada in 1492, took refuge in the mountains of Málaga, especially the Alpujarras, the Axarquía, and the Serranía de Ronda. There, they became bandits and a center of armed resistance against the Spanish Crown during the 16th and early 17th centuries. The word ‘monfí’ comes from the Arabic word munfī, meaning ‘exiled,’ a term that perfectly reflects their marginalized status. They lived by banditry, theft, and murder. They frequently attacked Old Christians and collaborated with Barbary pirates. Their role was fundamental in the Alpujarras Rebellion of 1568. They fought against the imposition of Christian customs and even sought help from the Ottoman Empire. The Morisco phenomenon began to disappear after their defeat in that rebellion and was further diluted by the subsequent dispersal of the Moriscos. Moriscos, until their final expulsion in the 17th century. For the authorities, they were criminals. But for a segment of the Morisco population, they represented a form of resistance, a way to defend their identity against oppression. In short, the Monfí phenomenon was yet another consequence of the policy of forced assimilation and annihilation of Andalusian society, implemented in the years following the conquest of Granada. This phenomenon must be understood within the framework of the religious unification program undertaken by the Catholic Monarchs. Monfí Festival in the town of Cútar, Málaga, 2025. If you enjoyed the video, please like, leave a comment, and don't forget to subscribe to this channel to stay updated on the upcoming videos I'll be uploading every week. Contact email: [email protected] See also: Juan Breva, the best flamenco singer:    • Juan Breva  Vélez-Málaga