I found this on a WW2 site. They are talking about the history of portugal....


http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=22494

Good for you Cowboy. Very interesting.

Ive been taking a look at this Coop!
Seem to be mostly discussing the origins of the Portuguese peoples with conflicting opinions...but they do seem more pre-occupied with the 'colour' of their skin! saying its the darkest or darker than other med. folk.
Surely it must come from their Moorish forebears...or the blackamooors as I think they were called? Didn't they conquer all Iberia and ruled for (7 centuries ?) was it?
Some Portuguese friends of ours had a pastelaria& bar in Silves...and the son spoke to us of his Moorish ancestors. during one conversation he said...pulling his bottom lip out.."See the colour..proof of my ancestry!"
His lips were dark purplish with black flecks...and he said he felt this evidence of his Arab ancestry.
Fascinating topic....our roots ..where we come from!
As for the Portuguese language...my son thinks it sounds a little like an eastern european tongue..a sort of Spanish/Russian!
The latin comes from the early Roman occupation...like the rest of western europe.

sorry! got carried away with subject and forgot to log on...Ellie

Elli, I can always spot your posts.

And, yes, they do focus on race.

I still thought it was intersting, and I'm glad y'all agree.

Must be an irish connection somewhere as the name blackmoor is very common around south tip

yes .very interesting Coop..I was fascinated by some of the user names...i.e: Field marshall Erwin Rommel !
Are they dark & swarthy Gerry..these blackamoors?/sorry blackmoors of the Emerald Isle?
Isnt the Irish race known for having lot of redhaired folk? was that from the viking invasions I wonder....mind they do say that some auburn hair folk of our islands descend from our ginger king ..Henry the 8th..he certainly got around thats for sure!

Youve really got me into this now Coop..history being one of my favourite topics!
English blood flowed in the Portuguese royal family.
Edward 3rds grandaughter..Philippa Plantagenet..& daughter of 'John of Gaunt'...maried King John 1st of Portugal..and their first born..'Henry the Navigator' led this small country into becoming a world power.
Its one of my fav. periods the 14th-15th centur and John of Gaunt' I find a fascinating character.
Wonder whose fav. historical character/time is yours? and would you have wanted to live in those times ?

that was me..Ellie