Moro Arabic? And MANY other questions...

KuKulzA28 · 7th January 2009, 09:03 AM

Hello. This may be the wrong place for this; please move it if it is.
I am planning to make a wood carving featuring a battle between Moros and Spaniards. I intend to have war cries above the opposing sides, "La ilaha il-la'l-lahu" (There is no God but Allah) and "¡Santiago!". Correct me if I'm wrong but I think those were common war-cries of the Moros and the Conquistadores. Hopefully I can have the Moro warcry in their script, and the Spanish Santiago in 16th century Spanish cursive. I've heard of Baybayin, but I don't know much about it, and I'm not sure whether the Moros used Arabic script or Baybayin, or any writing at all. I intend to have all the warriors in historically accurate clothes and armor, and using historically accurate weapons.

There's a lot I don't know. Because I have so many questions... I'll try to divy them up to make them more organized. I hope you guys can discuss and hopefully help me find the answers. Thanks.

Writing Styles

Did the Moros use an Arabic script? If so, any examples of it?
If not, what was the most common type, and what is the phrase in that type?
Does contemporary Spanish writing differ from the 16th Century? If so, in what ways?

Appearances

Did the Christian Filipino allies of the Spanish have any particular uniform or did they wear their traditional attire?
If uniformed, then any examples? If not, any examples of Cebuano clothing?
What were the most common Moro weapons? Spears? Kris? Kampilan? Barongs? In what order?
Was carabao-mail a popular type of armor, or did most Moros go with just clothing?
What were the Spaniards' most popular weapons? Rapier? Cutacha? Arquebus? Lance? How common was cavalry?
What was the most popular armor(s) for the Conquistadores in the Philippines at the time? Did Mexican reinforcements dress the same?
Any Chinese involved in these fights or were they the stereotypical traders, coolies, and pirates of the Hoklo/Hakka/Fujian origin?

Military Tactics

Did the Moros use any type of "formation" when they charged the enemy?
Did they use any use of missiles in open combat, like arrows, javelins, or lantaka - or was it more of a charge?
Did either side make use of shields, and if so, any formations to that?
How common was Spanish artillery on Filipino battlefields? What was the most common type?

I appreciate the help, and I hope a lot of information can be discussed with regards to this. One could probably write a book or two in answering my questions, but in this case simple descriptions and lots of pictures would probably be the best answers.
I know this isn't an antique weapon, and nor will the carving be antique at all... but it has to do with the military history between Spanish Conquistadores and Moros. The topics covered here span both European and Ethnographic sections, but it's mainly the Philippines setting. Again, if this is the wrong place for it, moderators please move. Thanks people!

7th January 2009, 09:03 AM	#1
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Moro Arabic? And MANY other questions... Hello. This may be the wrong place for this; please move it if it is. I am planning to make a wood carving featuring a battle between Moros and Spaniards. I intend to have war cries above the opposing sides, "La ilaha il-la'l-lahu" (There is no God but Allah) and "¡Santiago!". Correct me if I'm wrong but I think those were common war-cries of the Moros and the Conquistadores. Hopefully I can have the Moro warcry in their script, and the Spanish Santiago in 16th century Spanish cursive. I've heard of Baybayin, but I don't know much about it, and I'm not sure whether the Moros used Arabic script or Baybayin, or any writing at all. I intend to have all the warriors in historically accurate clothes and armor, and using historically accurate weapons. There's a lot I don't know. Because I have so many questions... I'll try to divy them up to make them more organized. I hope you guys can discuss and hopefully help me find the answers. Thanks. Writing Styles Did the Moros use an Arabic script? If so, any examples of it? If not, what was the most common type, and what is the phrase in that type? Does contemporary Spanish writing differ from the 16th Century? If so, in what ways? Appearances Did the Christian Filipino allies of the Spanish have any particular uniform or did they wear their traditional attire? If uniformed, then any examples? If not, any examples of Cebuano clothing? What were the most common Moro weapons? Spears? Kris? Kampilan? Barongs? In what order? Was carabao-mail a popular type of armor, or did most Moros go with just clothing? What were the Spaniards' most popular weapons? Rapier? Cutacha? Arquebus? Lance? How common was cavalry? What was the most popular armor(s) for the Conquistadores in the Philippines at the time? Did Mexican reinforcements dress the same? Any Chinese involved in these fights or were they the stereotypical traders, coolies, and pirates of the Hoklo/Hakka/Fujian origin? Military Tactics Did the Moros use any type of "formation" when they charged the enemy? Did they use any use of missiles in open combat, like arrows, javelins, or lantaka - or was it more of a charge? Did either side make use of shields, and if so, any formations to that? How common was Spanish artillery on Filipino battlefields? What was the most common type? I appreciate the help, and I hope a lot of information can be discussed with regards to this. One could probably write a book or two in answering my questions, but in this case simple descriptions and lots of pictures would probably be the best answers. I know this isn't an antique weapon, and nor will the carving be antique at all... but it has to do with the military history between Spanish Conquistadores and Moros. The topics covered here span both European and Ethnographic sections, but it's mainly the Philippines setting. Again, if this is the wrong place for it, moderators please move. Thanks people! Last edited by KuKulzA28; 7th January 2009 at 12:55 PM.