GLOSSARY 



** Adaryayan!" A cry used when halting camels. "We have 



arrived, oh sick ones." 

 Agal. A rope used to tie a camel's legs or the thick cords worn 



on the head above the kufiya. 

 Alaf. A measure of fodder. 

 "Allahu Akbar." God is great. 

 "Aselamu, Alaikum, Marhaha, Marhuba." Greetings to you. 



Welcome ! 

 "Ash hadu ilia lUaha ill AUah wa ash h-adu inna Mohammed an 



rasul Allah." I confess there is no God but God, and I confess 



that Mohammed is His Prophet. 

 Asida. Sticky mass of damp flour flavoured with onions or oil. 

 Azzaw. The act of calling to prayer. 

 Barracan. A long cotton garment worn by the women. 

 Basoor. Camel saddle in which women travel. 

 Bayid. Far. 



"Beit esli shar.'* Camel's-hair tent. 

 "Beit Ullah." The house of God. 

 Belad. Village. 

 "BisUamxi." With safety. 

 "Bismillah." B3' the name of God. 

 "BismUlah arahman arahmim." By the name of God the merciful 



and compassionate. 

 Bumus. Arab garment. 

 Ekhzcan. Brothers. Used colloquially in Libya to mean "a 



brother." 

 "El Fagr." Dawn. 



"El Maktub Makfub." WTiat is written is written. 

 "En nahs teyibin liena. An-a Mabsut." The people are good 



here. I am happy. 

 Fadhling. Sitting down and talking. 

 Fanatis. Tin water-carriers. 



"Fatha." The first sura (chapter) of the Koran. 

 Fatta. An Arab dish of carrots, bread and eggs. 



341 



