MORO’S HEADS
In the ancient Arab quarter of ‘Al Hâlisah in Palermo, around the year 1100, lived a young maiden of rare beauty. She spent her days tending to the flowers and plants on her balcony, unaware that her fate would soon entwine with a legend of eternal renown. One day, a young Moro, passing through those streets, caught sight of the lovely girl absorbed in her floral care. Captivated by her beauty, he felt an overwhelming love stir within him. Without hesitation, he entered her home and professed his love with fervent words. The maiden, touched by his sincerity and passion, reciprocated his feelings. Yet, their love was doomed to a tragic end. The girl discovered that, despite his love, the Moro would soon leave her to return to his lands, where a wife and children awaited him.
Consumed by jealousy and sorrow, her love turned into a desire for revenge. In the stillness of the night, as the young Moro slept unaware, the maiden committed her desperate act: she killed him and severed his head.
Carefully, she transformed the head into a planter, where she planted basil, displaying it on her balcony so that the Moro would remain with her forever. The basil thrived, its lush growth arousing the envy of the neighborhood. To keep up, they had terracotta vases made in the shape of Moro heads, thus giving birth to the tradition.
