Taifa of Tavira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Taifa of Tavira
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| 1146–1150 | |||||||||
| Capital | Tavira | ||||||||
| Common languages | Arabic, Mozarabic, Hebrew | ||||||||
| Religion | Islam, Christianity (Roman Catholic), Judaism | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Historical era | Middle Ages | ||||||||
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• Established
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1146 | ||||||||
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• Absorbed by the Almohads
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1150 | ||||||||
| Currency | Dirham and Dinar | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Portugal | ||||||||
The Taifa of Tavira was a small Islamic kingdom that existed a long time ago in what is now southern Portugal. It was called a "taifa" (pronounced TIE-fah), which means a small independent Muslim state. This kingdom was centered around the city of Tavira.
Contents
What Was the Taifa of Tavira?
The Taifa of Tavira was a short-lived kingdom. It only existed for about four years, from 1146 to 1150. During this time, many small Muslim kingdoms, or taifas, appeared in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal).
Why Were There Taifas?
These taifas formed after the big Almoravid Empire started to break apart. When a large empire weakens, smaller areas often become independent. This is how the Taifa of Tavira came to be.
Who Ruled Tavira?
The ruler of the Taifa of Tavira was named Umar. He was part of a family known as the 'Umarid dynasty. He ruled the kingdom from 1146 until it ended in 1150.
The End of the Kingdom
In 1150, the Taifa of Tavira was taken over by a new, powerful group called the Almohads. The Almohads were another large Muslim empire that came from North Africa. They conquered many of the smaller taifa kingdoms, including Tavira, and brought them under their control.
Life in the Taifa of Tavira
Even though it was a small kingdom, Tavira was an important city. People spoke different languages there, including Arabic, Mozarabic (a language similar to Latin and Arabic), and Hebrew.
Religions and Money
People in Tavira practiced different religions. The main religion was Islam, but there were also Christians and Jewish people. For money, they used coins called Dirhams and Dinars.
Tavira Today
Today, the city of Tavira is part of Portugal. It has a rich history that includes its time as a taifa kingdom.
See also
In Spanish: Taifa de Tavira para niños
