Some of the words in this glossary have Arabic roots, and others are from Safia’s Somali culture.
Abaaya/Abaayas a garment worn by Muslim women over their clothes
Abo father
Adhan the call to prayer, made before the five daily prayers
Ai hey
Ajanab/Ajanabi a non-Somali person
Alhamdulillah “all praise is for Allah.”
Allahu akbar “Allah is the greatest.”
Ameen amen
Anjero type of pancake eaten in East Africa
Aroos a wedding
Aroosa the bride
Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem “the Beneficent, the Merciful.”
Asalaamu alaikum “peace be upon you.”
’Asr the mid-afternoon prayer
Astaghfirullah “I seek Allah’s forgiveness.”
Awowo grandfather
Baaris iyo hilib rice and meat
Baasto iyo hilib pasta and meat
Bismillah “In the name of Allah.”
Bismillahir-rahmanir-raheem “In the name of Allah, the Benificent, the Merciful.”
Bukhoor an aromatic wood, burned as incense
Buraambur a dance performed at weddings
Cadaan a white person
Daqaan culture
Deen religion or way of life
Dhikr remembrance of God
Dhilo a loose woman
dira’ a traditional outfit worn by Somali women made from light caftan and worn with an underskirt
Duksi Qur’an school
’Eeb shame
Fajr the morning prayer, prayed before dawn
Gogorat an underskirt, worn with dira’
Haa yes
Habaryero a maternal aunt
Habibti “my beloved.”
Haraam forbidden
Hoyo mother
Insha Allah “as Allah wills.”
Isdaya to leave each other alone
Isha the night prayer
Iskawaran “how’s it going?” Used as a Somali greeting
Istinja cleansing after using the toilet
JazakAllahu khairah “may Allah reward you with good.” Said in place of ‘thank you’
Jilbabs an outergarment worn by Muslim women over their clothes
Kaale come
Kalab dog
Kohl antimony, used to line the eyes
Koofiyet a Muslim man’s hat
Laakinse but
Maghrib sunset prayer
mahlabiyyah a fragrant oil used in henna preparation
Masha Allah “it is as God intended.”
Midgaan the name of Somali outcasts
Nabat peace
Na’am yes
Niqaab Islamic face covering
Qaabil a tribe
Qaat a narcotic
Qahwa coffee
Raka’a a single unit of Muslim prayer
Sabr, sabr lahow be patient
Salaam peace
Salah prayer
Sheedh a traditional Somali woman’s outfit, typically worn at home
Soogal come in
SubhanAllah “glorified be Allah.”
suqaar a chopped meat dish
ukhti “my sister.”
Wa alaikum salaam “and upon you be peace.” Said in response to Asalaamu alaikum
Walaalo sister
Wallahi “I swear by Allah.”
WarHassano a greeting after a long separation
Wudhu ritual cleansing before prayer
Xalaal/halal permissible to eat
Xalimos girls
Na’ima B Robert, born in Leeds and raised in Zimbabwe, is descended from Scottish Highlanders on her father’s side and the Zulu people on her mother’s side. She went on to gain a first-class degree from the University of London. Having worked in marketing, the performing arts, teaching and the travel and tourism industry, she now has a wonderful time being a mum, running a magazine and writing children’s books. She divides her time between Egypt and the UK.
Na’ima has been fascinated by Somali culture ever since her first encounter with immigrant Somali students in East London. The idea for From Somali, with love came to her while on a weekend retreat for Somali youth. It is her first novel for teenagers.
To find out more about the author and her books,
visit www.nbrobert.com