Dear Zari: Hidden Stories from Women of Afghanistan (38 page)

fahisha
– whore

gahwara
– cradle

gelim
– carpet

Hajiani
– a woman who’s been on a
haj
(pilgrimage)

hamam
– steam bath

haram
– something which is forbidden in Islam

hijab
– headscarf

Inshallah
– ‘God willing’

jirgah
– gathering of leaders, or tribal or local elders

jongi
– baby camel

kalema
– verses from the Quran

kargah
– loom

kheena paich
– a triangle-shaped cloth made from glittery material used especially for weddings (usually green and silver), which is wrapped around a bride’s hands after henna has been applied

Khosti – people from the Khost province in the south-east of Afghanistan

khota
– cunt

Khuda Hafiz
– ‘May God be your guardian’

koza
– water jug

Kuchi – nomadic Afghan tribes people

kuni
– homosexual

kunjed
– local sweet from the Balkh province

kus
– cock

mahram
– someone legally related to a woman, eg. brother, husband, father or uncle

mast
– high on drugs or drunk

meeras
– inheritance

narkhazak
– eunuch

Nikkah
ceremony – official Islamic wedding ceremony

Noor
– grace

Nowrooz
– Afghan New Year

paka
– a paddle-shaped fan

pakol
– afghan hat

roz afza
– a sweet, perfumed drink

salamalikum
– ‘Peace be with you’

shah salami
– ritual where a groom goes to see his bride’s family the morning after their wedding to show the sign proving she was a virgin, and he is proud to have married her

shalwar kamiz
– an outfit of loose trousers and dress or top

shamla
– the part of an Afghan turban which fans out like a peacock’s tail

sheesha
– paste used to coat kite wires

shorba
– meat stew

shrombi
– fresh sour yoghurt

tabla
– percussion instrument

talaq
– divorce

tanoor
– oven

tar
– kite wire

tava
– shallow frying pan

taveez
– amulets

toba
– repentance; also used as an exclamation in speech, ‘Have mercy!’ or ‘Never ever again!’

tojar
– trader

It is hard to believe that my once scattered notes and scattered feelings have become
Dear Zari
. If it wasn’t for the letter Elizabeth Foley wrote to me a few years ago, and her listening patiently to my story, I wouldn’t have this book in my hands today. Thanks to Liz for having the imagination to see the potential for a book in my life and these stories.

A special thanks goes to Imran Ali, the person who has stood by me all the way through, and helped me with my first draft. Imran is the man I have been able to trust with my story; I knew he would read the draft with care and correct the confusing words I had used in English, as my mind works better in Pashtu and Dari.

Thanks to my editors, Poppy Hampson and Juliet Brooke. Their creative ideas and guidance have been invaluable and I have learnt many things from them. Their experience has added to my knowledge.

My special thanks to all those Afghan women whose real life stories gave me such support and inspiration in my own life. These women have encouraged me to become a courageous woman and today I feel I can face the world.

I am grateful to all of the reporters on Afghan Woman’s Hour, whose names I have already mentioned in the book. I really appreciate their help and some of these stories are the direct result of their hard work.

Last but not least, I would like to thank Naomi Goldsmith, who has had a key role in
Dear Zari
. Naomi has worked with me on the project right from the beginning, from writing the synopsis, to finding a publisher, right up to the final stages of checking proofs. She has been helpful and understanding, and her knowledge has been a key component of the book. Naomi’s friendship and teamwork has been wonderful and the support she has given me will stay with me all my life.

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