Early Modern Dialogue with Islam

Antonio De Sosa, Diana De Armas Wilson

Description

An Early Modern Dialogue with Islam: Antonio de Sosa’sTopography of Algiers (1612) makes available in translation a riveting sixteenth-century chronicle of European and North African cultural contacts that is virtually unknown to English-speaking readers. The Topography was written by a Portuguese cleric, Doctor Antonio de Sosa, who was captured by Algerian corsairs in 1577 and held as a Barbary slave for over four years while awaiting ransom. Sosa's work is a fascinating description of a city at the crossroads of civilizations, with a sophisticated multilingual population of Turks, Arabs, Moriscos, Berbers, Jews, Christian captives, and converts to Islam from across the world.

In the Topography of Algiers, Sosa meticulously describes the inhabitants' daily lives; their fashions, pastimes, feasts, and funerals; their government; the landmarks of the city itself; and much more. Readers will be struck by the vibrancy of his narrative, rendered into English with crisp accuracy by Diana de Armas Wilson. The Topography is a treasure trove of amazing customs, startling behavior, and historical anecdotes that will enthrall readers. The extensive introduction by María Antonia Garcés is a superb archival study of the Mediterranean world described by the Topography, as well as an exposé of the adventurous, even scandalous, life of its author. The introduction also discusses the fraudulent publication of Sosa’s Topography under another man’s name.

Sosa's chronicle stands out for its complexity, vitality, and the sharpness of the author's ethnographic vision. No other account of captivity in this period offers such a detailed and dynamic tableau of Algerian society at the end of the sixteenth century.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Anglican
• Islamic Studies
• Philosophie et théologie
• Culture of North Africa
• Orthodox
• Christianity
• Anglicanism
• Islam
• History
• Anglicanisme

Informations

• Publié par: University of Notre Dame Press
• Date de parution: 30 septembre 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780268077723
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 5 Mo

Extrait

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An Early Modern Dialogue with Islam
Antonio de Sosa’s Topography of Algiers (1612)DeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page ii
, ,  
     
This interdisciplinary series promotes scholarship in studies on Iberian cultures and contacts
from the premodern and early modern periods.
S E
Sabine MacCormack,
Theodore M. Hesburgh Professor of Arts and Letters,
Departments of Classics and History, University of Notre Dame
S B
J. N. Hillgarth, emeritus, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies
Peggy K. Liss, Independent Scholar
David Nirenberg, University of Chicago
Adeline Rucquoi, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales
R T   S
The Origins of Mexican Catholicism: Nahua Rituals and the Christian Sacraments
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Ines G. Županov
Jews, Christian Society, and Royal Power in Medieval Barcelona (2006)
Ella Klein
How the Incas Built Their Heartland: State Formation and Innovation of Imperial Strategies
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R. Alan Covey
Pastoral Quechua: The History of Christian Translation in Colonial Peru, 1550–1650 (2007)
Alan Durston
Contested Territory: Mapping Peru in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries (2009)
Heidi V. Scott
Death and Conversion in the Andes: Lima and Cuzco, 1532–1670 (2010)
Gabriela Ramos
An Early Modern Dialogue with Islam: Antonio de Sosa’s Topography of Algiers (1612) (2011)
Edited with an Introduction by María Antonia Garcés,
translated by Diana de Armas WilsonDeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page iii
An Early Modern Dialogue with Islam
Antonio de Sosa’s Topography of Algiers (1612)
                        
María Antonia Garcés
        
Diana de Armas Wilson
                        
        ,       DeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page iv
Copyright © 2011 by the University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
www.undpress.nd.edu
All Rights Reserved
This ebook has been made possible in part by a major grant from the
National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human
endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations
expressed in this book do not necessarily represent those of the National
Endowment for the Humanities.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Sosa, Antonio de, d. 1587.
[ Topographia, e historia general de Argel. English]
An early modern dialogue with Islam : Antonio de Sosa’s Topography of
Algiers (1612) / edited with an introduction by María Antonia Garcés ;
translated by Diana de Armas Wilson.
p. cm. — (History, languages, and cultures of the Spanish
and Portuguese worlds)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-268-02978-4 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-268-02978-4 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Algiers (Algeria)—Description and travel—Early works to 1800.
2. Algiers (Algeria)— Social life and customs—Early works to 1800.
3. Algiers (Algeria)— Social conditions—Early works to 1800.
4. Sosa, Antonio de, d. 1587. I. Garcés, María Antonia.
II. Wilson, Diana de Armas, 1934 – III. Title.
DT299.A5S65 2011
965'.3—dc22
2010052717
∞ The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence
and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines
for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources.DeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page v
To our grandchildren,
who represent hope for bridging the ancient divide
between East and West
——————————
Alejandro Lloreda Field
Juliana Lloreda Field
Daniel Lloreda Velásquez
Juan Antonio Lloreda Velásquez
Lukas Lloreda Ortíz
Sebastián Lloreda Gamboa
Manuel José Rodríguez Lloreda
Antonio Rodríguez Lloreda
Gabriela Rodríguez Lloreda
Amalia Phoenix Theodoredis
Emmanuel Kairos Theodoredis
Juliana Amara RavinDeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page viDeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page vii
       
List of Illustrations xi
Transliteration and Translation xiii
Note from the Translator xv
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction 1
Topography of Algiers by Antonio de Sosa
Title Page from Diego de Haedo, Topographia, e
Historia general de Argel 81
Preliminary Materials 83
Appraisal 83
The King 84
Approval by the Court’s Designated Censor 86
Approval by the Superior of the
Benedictine Order 87
License of the General of Saint Benedict 88
Dedicatory Letter 89
List of Errata 92
Chapter 1. The Founding of Algiers 93
Chapter 2. Why the City Is Called Algiers 99
Chapter 3. Algiers as a Muslim Kingdom 100
Chapter 4. How Algiers Came under the Turks 102
Chapter 5. The Ramparts of Algiers 104DeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page viii
viii Contents
Chapter 6. The Gates of Algiers 106
Chapter 7. The Fortifications of Algiers 109
Chapter 8. The Moat of Algiers 112
Chapter 9. The Castles and Forts outside
Algiers 113
Chapter 10. The Houses and Streets of Algiers 117
Chapter 11. The Inhabitants and Neighbors
of Algiers 119
Chapter 12. Turks 124
Chapter 13. Renegades 125
Chapter 14. Ka<ids 128
Chapter 15. Sipahi 131
Chapter 16. Janissaries 133
Chapter 17. Agha of the Janissaries 135
Chapter 18. Ranks of the Janissaries 137
Chapter 19. Customs of the Janissaries at War 141
Chapter 20. Customs of the Janissaries
in Peacetime 146
Chapter 21. Customs of the Algerian Corsairs 151
Chapter 22. Catalogue of Corsairs 160
Chapter 23. Corsairs with Frigates 162
Chapter 24. Algerian Merchants 164
Chapter 25. Algerian Laborers and Artisans 168
Chapter 26. Algerian Fashions 169
Chapter 27. The Marabouts of Algiers 174
Chapter 28. The Jews of Algiers 181DeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page ix
Contents ix
Chapter 29. Languages and Currencies 184
Chapter 30. Marriage Ceremonies 188
Chapter 31. Childbirth and Child Rearing 194
Chapter 32. Algerian Women’s Fashions 198
Chapter 33. Women’s Pastimes, Home
Decorating, and Cooking 203
Chapter 34. Islamic Feast Days and Festivals
in Algiers 209
Chapter 35. A Miscellany of Muslim Customs
in Algiers 216
Chapter 36. Algerian Vices 232
Chapter 37. Algerian Virtues 244
Chapter 38. Death and Burial in Algiers 247
Chapter 39. Algerian Buildings and Fountains 253
Chapter 40. The Natural Beauty of Algiers 261
Chapter 41. The Government of Algiers 265
List of Abbreviations 273
Glossary 274
Notes 287
Archival Sources 353
Bibliography 355
Index 381DeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page xDeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page xi
            
Figure 1. Map of Algiers [Algerii Saracenorum vrbis fortissimae . . . ] (1575?).
Reproduced from Braun and Hogenberg, Civitates orbis terrarum
(1575– 1612). Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell
University Library. 14
Figure 2. Facsimile of title page from Diego de Haedo, Topographia, e
Historia general de Argel, princeps edition ( Valladolid, 1612). 80
For figures 3–18, see gallery following page 208.
Figure 3. Plan of the City of Algiers [Plano en perspectiva de la ciudad de
Argel . . . El designio de Argel que dieron unos captivos que se huyeron con la
galeota. Año de 1563]. Reproduced by permission of Spain, Ministerio de
Cultura, Archivo General de Simancas, MPD, 7, 131.
Figure 4. The City of Algiers (ca. 1700). Reproduced from Epalza and
Vilar, eds., Planos y mapas hispánicos de Argelia, 1:324, map 412.
Figure 5. The Gate of Babazoun. Reproduced from Dapper, Eigentliche
beschreibung der insulen in Africa (1671), 260. Division of Rare and
Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
Figure 6. Henri Bonnart, A Turkish Soldier from Algiers. Reproduced from
Esquer, Iconographie historique de l’Algérie, vol. 1, plate 27, no. 75.
Figure 7. Andreas Matthäus Wolffgang, Algerian Corsair Captain.
Reproduced from Esquer, Iconographie historique de l’Algérie, vol. 1, plate 12, no. 33.
Figure 8. Andreas Matthäus Wolffgang, Admiral of the Algerian Fleet.
Reproduced from Esquer, Iconographie historique de l’Algérie, vol. 1, plate 12,
no. 73.
xiDeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page xii
xii Illustrations
Figure 9. Andreas Matthäus Wolffgang, A Jew from Algiers. Reproduced
from Esquer, Iconographie historique de l’Algérie, vol. 1, plate 29, no. 77.
Figure 10. Henri Bonnart, Marabout from Algiers. Reproduced from
Esquer, Iconographie historique de l’Algérie, vol. 1, plate 29, no. 78.
Figure 11. Janissaries. Reproduced from I TURCHI Codex Vindobonensis
8626, 43. Olin Library, Cornell University.
Figure 12. Armed Sipahi. Reproduced from I TURCHI Codex
Vindobonensis 8626, 55. Olin Library, Cornell University.
Figure 13. Solak Soldiers. Reproduced from I TURCHI Codex
Vindobonensis 8626, 58. Olin Library, Cornell University.
Figure 14. Pilgrims to Mecca. Reproduced from I TURCHI Codex
Vindobonensis 8626, 141. Olin Library, Cornell University.
Figure 15. Funeral March. Reproduced from I TURCHI Codex
Vindobonensis 8626, 142. Olin Library, Cornell University.
Figure 16. Funeral Procession. Reproduced from Dapper, Eigentliche be -
schrei bung der insulen in Africa (1671), 248. Division of Rare and
Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
Figure 17. Preparing the Body. Reproduced from Dapper, Eigentliche be -
schrei bung der insulen in Africa (1671), 249. Division of Rare and
Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
Figure 18. An Algerian Family. Reproduced from Dapper, Eigentliche be -
schrei bung der insulen in Africa (1671), 168. Division of Rare and
Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library. DeSosa-00FM_Layout 1 2/11/11 2:23 PM Page xiii
                            
Imposing an entirely consistent system for titles, technical terms, and
personal names in this translation has proved an insuperable challenge.
We have used a modified transliteration system from the Encyclopaedia of
Islam (EI ), 2nd ed., for Arabic and Ottoman