Ziryab, the slave who created customs that follow today

We use glass cups, we change clothes according to the season of the year, we use deodorants to not smell bad...and we don't ask ourselves who created these routines and introduced them into our lives.In Lifestyle we have found the answer in the Cordovan court of the ninth century, in the medieval Islamic period: They came from the hand of Ziryab, the slave who created customs that continue today.

Ziryab, the slave creator of customs

Abu l-Hasan Ali ibn Nafi` was born in Iraq in the year 789 , for his dark skin and melodious voice, was known as "Ziryab" which means "blackbird." Regarding the personal status , the sources do not agree, since some treat him as a slave and others, on the contrary, emphasize the trips and stays that I make freely through numerous kingdoms of North Africa before settling in Cordoba.It is considered un polyimata (a sage in diverse fields) since he was an expert in music, history, astronomy, botany, meteorology, geography, fashion and culinary art.

Ziryab He was known primarily as a distinguished musician who made many innovations in that artistic discipline.He trained in Baghdad with the Iraqi musician and composer, Ishaq al-Mawsili.In year 822 , after a journey through various courts, I accept the invitation to Al-Andalus of the Umayyad prince, Al-Hakam, unfortunately, when I arrived at the caliphate, the prince had died.his son and successor, knowing Ziryab's fame, renewed the invitation, putting at his disposal a palace to live, a salary of 200 dinars and many other privileges.

In the world of music , he added a fifth pair of strings to the lute and changed the piece that was used to play it for a more subtle one.He set the bases of Andalusian music and of the Nuba , the classical Arabic music of North Africa.He founded in Cordoba a music school , which can be considered one of the first conservatories in the world, and that was in operation until many years after his death.In the he accepted both men and women and had very particular methods to improve the skills of their students.But, like modern artists, their field of influence did not focus on music, but transcended others like Culture, fashion, customs and etiquette.Do you want to know what innovations you introduced? Join us and be surprised!

- Change the metal cups and glasses for others of glass , more beautiful and comfortable.

-Start using tablecloths on the tables.

-The food was served all at once and Ziryab introduced three-course meals : a starter, a main and a dessert, which after more than 1,000 years we still use.

- Introduced asparagus in the kitchen, like an edible and rich vegetable, in addition to other vegetables.

- In the world of hairstyle I also innovate introducing the bangs, which until then was not used.Also shave the face of men and the haircut that left the ears free, the eyebrows and the neck.

- I create a hair shampoo , water based roses and salt that left hair healthier and more beautiful than before.

- I create a toothpaste whose recipe, although it has not come to this day, we know it was one Very nice texture and flavor.

- Development of a deodorant axillary so as not to smell of sweat.

-He introduced the changing of clothes according to the seasons : dark and heavy clothes for winter and light and light for heat.His idea was that the color of the wardrobe should follow that of the seasons ; reds, yellows and oranges in autumn, bright colors in spring and light in summer.By this comes the custom of not using white and other light colors when autumn comes.

These and other customs he introduced expanded throughout the European courts and have reached our days .Did you imagine that this was its origin?

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