The Winged Histories (31 page)

Glossary

Aimila—
a flowering shrub of Nain, similar to hawthorn

Aklidoh (pl. aklidai)—a Kestenyi monastery housing devotees of the goddess Roun

Amadesh (Kestenyi)—a kitchen and storage area

Arilantha—a stately dance

Artusa (Kestenyi)—
a corral

Ausk (Kestenyi)—clan

Avla (Kestenyi)—a ballroom or large hall

Bais—bread made with chestnut flour

Bamanan ai!
—“May it go out” in the ancient tongue. An expression used to avert evil.

Beshadun (Kestenyi)—a female bandit

Bildiri—used to describe the mixed culture that has developed in parts of Kestenya

Bolma—an Evmeni narcotic

Bredis—a low stool stuffed with straw, commonly used by scribes

Bul—a type of popular song, usually a drinking song

Dai—term of address for an unmarried woman

Dakavei—
a children
’s game played with a ball and sticks

Darwad—leader of a town council

Diali—
a Kestenyi stringed instrument similar to a lute

Difleta—liqueurs served after a meal

Em—
term of address for a married man

Eseila—
a vigorous Olondrian dance

Faetha (sing. and pl.)—a table covered with candles and lamps, typical of Nainish homes

Femka (Kestenyi)—an awning

Feredha (pl. feredhai)—a Kestenyi nomad

Gaisk—Nainish herb brandy

Hetha—
an aromatic wood

Hoda (Kestenyi)—heavy porridge

Honith (pl. honitha)—a Nainish pastry, often stuffed with fruit or cheese

Ilok (pl. iloki)—literally “great bird.” A species of giant hawk.

Kad shedyamud (Kestenyi)—What barbarism!

Kalidoh (pl. kalidai)—Kestenyi: a mystic

Karafia—the “Night of Tears.” The massacre that ended the Kestenyi rebellion during the reign of Eirlo the Generous.

Karsavi—a sweet wine of Nain

Kebma—a flat Olondrian bread, traditionally eaten at dusk

Kib—a board game played with stones

Klugh—a traditional Nainish dance

Limike—an Olondrian musical instrument similar to the dulcimer

Lokhu—
an aviary

Londo—
a gambling game played with ivory dice

Los—peach liquor

Mardh (Kestenyi)—foolish, hopeless, ridiculous

Milim—
a narcotic leaf

Misar (Kestenyi)—a plant with poisonous thorns

Mun—term of address for a married woman

Oinov—a preparation of medicinal herbs used especially in the treatment of fever

Omi—“hands”—the card game of the Olondrian aristocracy

Ous—
a dark beer

Raush (Kestenyi)—cured meat

Sadh—a traditional Kestenyi dance

Sama—a grain similar to millet

Sein—
verse. Used of religious texts.

Shambus (pl. shambusna)—a wild sheep of Kestenya

Shedyamud (Kestenyi)—barbarism

Shedyun (Kestenyi)—barbarian, savage

Sovos (pl. sovoi)—
an overseer or steward of a large estate. Used mostly in Kestenya.

Stedleihe (Kestenyi)—
honey beer

Sud (Kestenyi)—prince. Suddi—my prince. Sudaidi—my princess.

Susa—a drab Kestenyi bird with a harsh call

Tanbrivaud Night—the last night of the Olondrian year, traditionally marked by pranks
and masquerades

Taubel—
a bowl employed for divination using the reflections in water

Teiva—
an alcohol made from figs

Teldarin—“
my lady,
” a term of respect

Vai!
—“
fires
” in the ancient tongue; an exclamation of wonder or surprise

Vallafarsi
—the Olondrian holy book

Vanadel—
a type of popular song, often a love song

Vanathul
—the “Song of Thul.” Composed by Ravhathos, this is the most famous work of Olondrian epic poetry.

Acknowledgments

Many people helped to make this book a reality. As always, I thank my parents for their love and their infectious joy in language. Thanks are also due to Gavin J. Grant and Kelly Link for supporting the Olondria project; to Kathrin Köhler, my partner in crime; to Lisa Bradley and Mary Rickert for their generous responses to the early drafts of this book; and to Keith Miller, first reader and last.

About the Author

Sofia Samatar is the author of
A Stranger in Olondria,
the Hugo and Nebula nominated short story “Selkie Stories Are for Losers,” and other works. She has written for the
Guardian, Strange Horizons,
and
Clarkesworld,
among others, and has won the John W. Campbell Award, the Crawford Award, the British Fantasy Award, and the World Fantasy Award. Learn more at sofiasamatar.com.

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