How many times have you seen the Moor's Heads! In Sicily there is no tourist who is not fascinated by its colors, by its manufacture. And then the shops of craftsmen who make them by hand. Then there are some of different sizes. We thought we would tell you something more about their origin so when you are in Sicily and you will want to buy one you will know their history. A tip though: buy both the male and the female head. There is a tragic love story behind it, therefore never separate the man from the woman.
Teste di Moro, a tragic love story
It will be a legend or a true story, who knows. What is certain is that there is a troubled episode behind this custom. It is said that during the domination of the Moors in Sicily, around the year 1000, in the historic district of Kalsa in Palermo, which is called “Al Hàlisah”, an Arab neighborhood, lived a girl. She was very beautiful and looked after the plants on her balcony every day. One day a young Moro fell in love with her. It was love at first sight. The two indulged in passion. But love soon gave way to a terrible truth. The young Moro, in fact, had not revealed to the beautiful girl that he had a wife and children in the East. He would have to go back to that place soon.
The head of the Moor and the girl's revenge
So the girl, angry at what she considered a betrayal, decided to take revenge. And so one night she took advantage of his sleep and the darkness. He shot him dead, so he would be hers forever. In fact, she decided that the face of that young man should have remained with her forever. So what did the girl do? He cut off the young man's head and created some sort of vase-like object. And inside he planted some basil.
The head for planting basil, a source of wealth
The girl decided to plant basil there, because it was said to be a royal plant. It was considered the herb of the rulers. So by taking care of that plant, he would continue to take care of his beloved. And what happened to that head? She was placed with the other plants on her balcony. Her tears bathed the basil, which grew luxuriantly. And it was a plant admired by all who passed by that road. And so many had plants made with the same features as the Moor, unaware of that terrible secret. In short, a real news story like those that unfortunately happen today. Maybe.
The legend of the beheaded lovers
But there is another story concerning the origin of these sculptures. One could say less vindictive but always sad and tragic. It is said that a girl of noble origins had lived a clandestine love with a young Arab. But when they were discovered they were both beheaded. And both heads would be placed, turned into vases, on a balcony, as a warning against any wrong link. Hence the fact that Moro's heads are always made in pairs, to remember the tragic fate of the two lovers.
The Moor's Heads in Sicilian craftsmanship and fashion
Heads of Moor or Turkish heads, however, are emblems of Sicily. A lot of creativity of the artisans, who make them by hand. And there are many tourists who buy them. Caltagirone are well known. In the city that produces ceramics par excellence in Sicily, many flat balconies of these sculptures could not be missing. But not only the artisans. Even fashion has consecrated them by making them known beyond the island, creating a real brand. An example of the latest Dolce & Gabbana collections, who have recently chosen Sicily, its colors and its landscapes.
