Glossary
In an English context, all these
words may be pronounced approximately as in Spanish or Italian.
Ahle Kitab People of the Book
Amal Selfless service
Amir An afghan ruler
Ashram A community base on spiritual disciplines
Badal Revenge, vendetta, blood feud
Badmash Scoundrel
Badshah King
Chilla A period of meditation and fasting
Chillum Small, bowl-shaped clay pipe use for smoking
Derah Guest House for travelers and communal gathering
Fakir A renunciate, holy man
Hajj Pilgrimage
Hajji Title taken by one who has gone on hajj to Mecca.
Jirgah Council of elders, tribal leaders, or head of family
Khan A village or tribal chief; generally, an honorific title
Maktab A school runs by the mosque
Melmastia The Pathan code of hospitality
Muezzin Crier who calls the faithful to prayer
Muhabbat Love; compassion
Mullah Muslim religious leader
Namaz The daily prayers prescribed in Islam
Nanawati The Pathan code of giving sanctuary to fugitives
Pyjama (Hindi) The baggy trousers and long shirts worn in some
regions in north India and beyond.
Pushtun Pathan;
Pushtunwali The “way of the Pathan”: the social code of badal,
melmastia, and nanawati by which Pathans rule themselves
P
ushtu The language of the Pathans;
ukhtu
Pir A Muslim saint
Purdah Veil; the custom of keeping women in seclusion
Qahwa Green Tea, salted or sugared; “the Pathan national drink”
Raj (Hindi, “reign”) an empire, esp. Mogul or British India
Satyagraha “Soul-force,” Gandhi’s nonviolent campaign
Sepoy A native Indian soldier, generally from one of the so-called
martial tribes: Sikh, Gurkhas, and pathans
Sitar A stringed instrument of northern India
Surnai A reed instrument of the Pathan
Tulwar A curved sword
Yakeen Faith
Zulum tyranny, oppression, injustice |
