The term "Moorish" is generally used to describe the Muslim people of North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. The Moors were a diverse group of people, including Berbers and other people from the ancient Roman province of Mauretania in what is now North Africa. Over time, the term "Moor" was increasingly applied to Muslims living in Europe. The Moors created the Islamic Andalusian civilization and subsequently settled as refugees in the Maghreb (in the region of North Africa) between the 11th and 17th centuries.

The Moorish culture has left a mark not only on the Spanish language but also on the customs, art, and culture found across the Iberian Peninsula. The Moors introduced new instruments and melodies in Spain, such as the guitar and flamenco, and their influence is still visible in Spanish traditional music. Moorish customs have also played a key role in Spanish food, with the use of herbs and spices gaining importance and the introduction of chickpeas.

It is important to note that the term "Moor" does not describe a specific ethnicity or race, but rather has been used to describe alternatively the reign of Muslims in Spain, Europeans of African descent, and others for centuries.