What is "beidane"

Beidane (Arabic , بيدن) is an Arabic term used in the Maghreb region of North Africa to refer to the Caucasian or white Moors. In contrast to Haratin, which refers to those with a darker complexion, or black. The Beidane inhabit most of what is now Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and to a lesser extent Egypt. Their descendants can also be found in Southern European populations, particularly ( Spain, Portugal, Southern Italy, and Sicily). The Beidane refers to those of Arab, Berber, or Arab-Berber descent, however, large populations on the northern coast of North Africa, also have Iberian blood; going back to the Spanish Reconquista. The main language of the Beidane is Arabic and to a lesser extent Tamazight (Berber).

It is important to understand that the term "Moor" is not the term for a specific ethnic group, but rather the term used by the European Christians, in reference to the Arab and Berber populations that hailed from North Africa in the medieval era and soon took control of Malta, Sardinia, Spain, southern France (short-period), Portugal, southern Italy, and Sicily. Another term that was used in reference to the Arabs and Berbers at this time was " Saracen." This was largely used to refer to the peoples of the entire Arab Islamic empire, mostly used by Italians and Europeans to the north. The term largely fell out of use post- Middle Ages.