What is "andalusians"

n. (plural of Andalusian English)

The Andalusians are the people of the southern region in Spain approximated by what is now called Andalusia. The Spanish Language Academy recognizes Andalusian Spanish as a distinct dialect. Andalusian culture has its roots in the different cultures which have populated the region over the past centuries. Both history and geography have greatly contributed to modern day culture and identity.

The genesis of modern Andalusian culture can be traced to the last phase of the Reconquista and the two centuries that followed (13th to 17th century) which brought about the adoption of Catholicism and, more specifically various Marian cults, as the sole substitute for other religions which had dominated the region during eight prior centuries (notably Sunni Islam). It also coincides with the arrival of the Roma people in the mid 15th century, who contributed significantly to the development of modern Andalusian identity. The degree to which the region's particularly long Islamic history is central to Andalusia's modern singularity is controversial and largely a matter of ideology, particularly considering Andalusia is perhaps Spain's most fervent follower of Catholic cults. Blas Infante however, the father of Andalusian regionalism and nationalism, drew heavily from this heritage as a defining element of Andalusian identity. Nevertheless, local Catholic cults act as the primary vehicle of Andalusian cultural cohesion and identity. This, together with a very rich and markedly Hispanic local culture, makes the region particularly impervious to Islamophilia, despite an undeniable pride from the cultural legacy inherited from the Islamic period. Paradoxically, religious fervor in Andalusia seems not to clash with the region being among the most left-leaning and anti-clerical in the entire country, with below average levels of mass attendance and very little interest in orthodox Catholic doctrine. The peculiar form and role of religion in Andalusia has been subject to significant ethnographic and anthropological study.

Not all Andalusians agree with the existence of a single Andalusian identity or ethnicity. A strong cultural divide exists between what is known as "high Andalusia" (what used to be the Kingdom of Granada") and Low or Western Andalusia (the heavily populated Guadalquivir valley). Significant differences exist between the culture and even the accents of all of eight provinces of Andalusia, but the widest difference is between these two regions. Some Andalusians of High Andalusia (notably Granada and Almería) complain that since the beginning of democracy and Andalusia's autonomy, Andalusian political power has been heavily centred around Seville and, as a result, Andalusian culture and identity has been built around this region, ignoring the unique culture and traditions of other parts of Andalusia. Calls for a separate Autonomy for eastern Andalusia have been made since the advent of democracy, yet have never attracted enough to support to endanger Andalusia's integrity.

The Andalusians have a rich culture which includes the Semana Santa (see Holy Week in Spain) and the famous flamenco style of music and dance. Andalusia's own statute of autonomy identifies the region as an "historic nationality" and grants it a high level of devolved political power. The people of Ceuta and Melilla are considered to be Andalusian people, since they have characteristics similar to that of Andalusia, as Andalusian dialect and related traditions. Nevertheless, from the Spanish transition, Ceuta and Melilla were separated from Andalusia. Additionally, a significant minority (roughly 25%) of Ceuta and Melilla's Christian population is of Catalan descent.