Born Under a Million Shadows

Glossary

af slang for afghani, the currency of Afghanistan

bakhsheesh a gratuity, tip, or bribe

bolani flat-bread stuffed with spinach or potato

bukhari a steel or aluminium stove

buzkashi a team sport where the players on horseback attempt to place a goat carcass into a goal

chador a headscarf worn by women

ISAF the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force

ISI Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence

kafan sheets of clean, white cloth that wrap a body before burial

kafir an unbeliever

kuchi a nomad

madrassa a school for teaching Islamic theology and religious law

mantu steamed dumplings filled with minced meat and topped with white yogurt

pakol a round-topped hat worn by Afghan men, typically made of wool

patu a woolen shawl

Ramazan the Muslim holy month of fasting more commonly known as Ramadan but pronounced “Ramazan” in Afghanistan