The following list of terms and pronunciations may be helpful to anyone reading The Kite Runner or interested in learning more about Afghanistan. Thanks to the Friends of the Pittsboro Memorial Library for the use of this glossary and map.

Khaled Hosseini: [pronounced kah-led hoh-SAY-nee] author of The Kite Runner

Afghan: a person from Afghanistan, or an adjective for food, culture, clothing, etc.

Afghani: a form of monetary exchange in Afghanistan

Bolani: A kind of dumpling.

Burqa: a long, tent-like garment worn by women. It covers the entire body and even has a narrow mesh screen over the eyes.

Chador: traditional hooded cloak worn by women and girls to cover their hair and shoulders.

Dari: (Afghan Persian) the other official language of Afghanistan; used for government and business communication.

Jenazah – A Muslim prayer for the dead.

Kabul: [pronounced “cobble”] capital city of Afghanistan

Mullah: A religious expert and teacher Islam

Naan: a flat spongey bread that is the basis for many Afghan meals

Pashtu: one of the official languages of Afghanistan

Pilaf: A rice dish that usually contains vegetables, meat and spices.

Ramadan: A month of fasting in the Muslim calendar.

Shalwar kameez: Long, loose shirt and trousers worn by both men and women. A man’s shalwar kameez is all one color, with pockets in the side and on the chest. A woman’s shalwar kameez has different colors and patterns and is sometimes elaborately embroidered or beaded.

Red Crescent: The Muslim equivalent of the Red Cross, an international organization that provides aid to the sick and wounded in times of disaster and war.

Taliban: An Afghan army that took control of the capital city of Kabul in September, 1996, and was forced from power in the fall of 2001.

Tambur: a gourd shaped stringed instrument with a long neck.

Toshak: A narrow mattress used in many Afghan homes instead of chairs or beds.