You know, despite everything, I cried. I didn’t tell or show anyone, but I cried. The kid too, but that’s normal.
The problem is that ever since, she hasn’t really been herself. So to try to get her out of that state, I brought her Samira. I got her a passport and I brought her over. Given how well she took care of me when I was sick, I was sure there was no better person to keep Samia company while I worked. But she doesn’t spend the entire year with us. Just six months out of the year. Because otherwise, she would need a visa and then it becomes complicated.
“Here, drink.”
Maaizou hands me the glass of water mixed with the medicine. His face is red, like every day. He’ll never adapt to this sun. He’ll never tan like everyone else.
It’s been two years since he joined me here, and for two years he’s been roasting, the poor thing. But he doesn’t complain. He never complains.
He’s the same as he always was. Kind, carrying lights that weigh twice as much as him.
And now, he speaks Arabic almost as well as me.
For now, I don’t speak any Dutch. The only thing I understand is liefje. That means “my little sweetheart.” Or something like that.
In Spanish, they say querida. I know because their language entered my blood right away. If you heard me speak, you’d think I was one of them. Even better.
No one understands how I managed to learn so quickly.
Even though from the start I’ve been telling them that I’m sharp.
Abdel Halim Hafez Egyptian singer, lutist, and actor of legendary renown in the 1950s and ’60s. He has such an iconic status in the Arab world that he is typically referred to by just his given name.
Aïcha Kandicha A female jinn (spirit) who appears often in popular Moroccan mythology. Some myths depict her as a demon with cloven hooves, others as a witch, others as a spirit of astounding beauty. All attest to her evil nature.
Aïn Diab Literally, the “spring of wolves.” A beach in Casablanca.
Alpha 55 A shopping center in the heart of Casablanca’s former European quarter. Because it’s been in existence for so long (it was built in 1979), it’s become a local landmark.
Amr Diab Egyptian singer popular in the 1990s; he was one of the first to combine Middle Eastern sounds with Western pop music. Also one of the first Arab pop idols for starry-eyed girls.
Anafa Moroccan pronunciation of the French en avant, or “in front,” used here to mean “Let’s go.”
Apaches of Raja Along with Wydad, Raja is one of the two biggest soccer teams in Casablanca. Its most extreme fans are known for being particularly violent. The insult awbach (a rare classical Arabic word designating a type of insect, but commonly translated by Moroccans as “apaches”) is often used in Morocco to describe hooligans, stemming from a speech by Hassan II in 1984. He used the term to describe rioters who had ransacked several cities to protest a hike in the price of bread.
Bac Short for baccalauréat, an undergraduate degree.
Ba Lahcen Bechouia “Go Slowly, Father Lahcen.” A song by Haja El Hamdaouia, an obvious allusion to sex.
Bargache Abderrahim Bargache, often designated by only his surname, presenter of a cooking show televised in the 1980s. As famous for his portliness as for his recipes.
Bimo Brand of Moroccan cookies, now also used as a generic word for a cookie.
Bin-ou-bin “Between two.”
Bismillah “In the name of God.” Expression marking the beginning of everything in Muslim culture. In Morocco, “dire bismillah” means “begin.”
Blue Bills The highest value of Moroccan bills is the two-hundred dirham note, which is blue and worth about 21 US dollars.
Bnader Plural of bendir: a drum traditionally fashioned from goatskin.
Caid A local official who serves as administrator, judge, and tax collector, all in one.
Chaabi Literally, “folk”: used to describe folk music.
Cheikh Yassine The leader of a political and religious brotherhood whose full name was Abdesslam Yassine. He died in 2012.
Chemkara Feminine (or plural) of chemkar: a toothless beggar, generally covered in scars, addicted to psychotropic drugs or other hallucinogenic substances.
Chikhate Plural of chikha. Moroccan singers of satiric folk songs. Often plump, matronly women, they are sometimes associated with amorality or prostitution because of their free spirits and the boozy parties where they perform. They are in fact the guardians of a rich poetic heritage that Moroccans have recently begun to rediscover and celebrate with respect.
Choufi Ghirou, a l’azara ’ata Allah… “Find yourself another man, there are plenty of single guys.” Choufi ghirou is the title of a famous song by Najat Aatabou (see below).
Choumicha Host of successful cooking shows.
Cimi Adaptation of CMI, Compagnies mobiles d’intervention, which are riot police.
Derb Omar A shopping district in Casablanca that’s mainly for wholesale purchases.
Fantasia An equestrian demonstration often performed as part of larger cultural performances. It ends with the riders all shooting their guns into the sky in unison.
Faqih A religious mystic, healer, fortune-teller, or sorcerer—and often a mix of the four. The faqih serves as “the people’s shrink” in Morocco, and interpreting dreams is one of his specialties.
Ghassoul Mineral clay, widely used by Moroccan women to clean and care for their hair.
Grocery Store Berber grocery stores are often used as informal networks for transferring funds across the Mediterranean. The sender gives dirhams to a grocer in Morocco, and the recipient gets the equivalent in euros (minus a commission) at the cousin’s grocery store in Europe—and vice versa.
Guerrab Clandestine seller of alcohol open late at night (official liquor stores close at eight o’clock).
Haja El Hamdaouia Famous Moroccan folk singer.
Hamdoullah “Thanks be to Allah.”
Harira Thick soup made from tomatoes, flour, herbs, and starches.
Iftar Meal of the breaking of the daily fast during Ramadan. The same word is used for breakfast.
Ilyeh Moroccan pronunciation of the French phrase “il y est,” shouted to celebrate a soccer goal, generally by overexcited fans.
Imad Ntifi Famous presenter of musical and other entertainment shows.
Jdida El Jadida, a port town about sixty miles south of Casablanca.
Jmiaa Bent Larbi “Jmiaa, daughter of Larbi.”
Kaaba Black cubic building located at the center of the Great Mosque of Mecca. The Kaaba is literally the epicenter of Islam. Circling the Kaaba seven times is the principle rite performed by Muslims when they make their pilgrimage to Mecca.
Lebssa Traditional Moroccan outfit, often very colorful, worn by women for important occasions like marriages, baptisms, and other ceremonies.
Lhajja Feminine form of Hajji, the title accorded to those who have completed the pilgrimage to Mecca. Also commonly used to refer respectfully to an elderly woman.
Maaizou “Little goat.” A familiar expression, halfway between mockery and affection, to refer to someone who is fairly puny but gifted with a special touch.
Maallem Master artisan, although the term is used to refer to anyone who masters a profession or a particular skill, as a mark of recognition of their talent.
Maâmora Forest of cork oaks in the Rabat region covering more than 150,000 acres.
Maârif Shopping district in Casablanca, home to numerous stores and cafés. Also a flirting hot spot: boys and girls hang out there on weekends, dressed in the latest fashions.
Men Dar Ldar “From house to house.”
Mkharka A honey cake traditionally prepared for Ramadan, served alongside harira (see above).
Moqaddem Agent
of the Ministry of the Interior. At the bottom of the administrative ladder, he is in charge of direct contact with the population—a job that is often turned into a source of profit.
Moqataa District headquarters, the local administration in charge of birth certificates, proof of residences, and other official documents.
Moukhtafoune Television series devoted to finding missing persons.
Moussem One of the annual regional festivals that combine the celebration of local saints with shopping, amusement park rides, and large-scale public entertainment, such as folk troupe concerts and fantasias.
Mouy My mother.
Msemen Pancake made from puff pastry.
Najat Aatabou Internationally famous Moroccan folk singer. Called “the lioness of the Atlas,” she sings about the struggle for women in a chauvinistic society and embodies a bold folk feminism free of inhibitions.
Nancy Ajram Lebanese pop music singer, as famous for her plunging necklines as for her love songs.
Nass El Ghiwane A legendary Moroccan musical group popular in the 1970s for their political and poetic lyrics, as well as their revolutionary rhythms. Martin Scorsese once called them the “Rolling Stones of Africa.”
Nassima el Hor Famous host of discussion shows about social issues. Because of her great empathy for those in the lower classes, many of them consider her the quintessence of journalism.
Okraïcha Literally, “the witch.”
Pepitas Sunflower or pumpkin seeds that are grilled and salted. Peeling and eating pepitas is done in a characteristic gesture displaying dexterity and practice, often engendering an intensive idleness. A highly addictive activity, it is also ideal for walks with friends or solitary contemplation of the street.
Rfissate (plural of rfissa) A festive dish made from chicken, msemen, fenugreek, and lentils, traditionally prepared for a newborn child.
Rial From the Spanish real, currency formerly used in the north of Morocco under Spanish occupation. The currency is no longer in use today, but some prices are still quoted in rials, especially by those in the lower classes. One thousand rials is worth roughly $5, or 50 dirhams, the current Moroccan currency (1 dirham = 20 rials).
Robio A nickname for redheads in Morocco. From the Spanish rubio.
Sanicroix Brand of household cleaner, and a generic name given to all floor-cleaning products.
Selham Long men’s cape, generally white, worn for important occasions over a djellaba.
Semsara Feminine of semsar, an intermediary who facilitates a transaction in order to procure a good (for instance, lodging or an automobile) or a service (such as maid recruitment or an administrative affair), in exchange for a commission. The smasria (plural of semsar) are often hired on café terraces, and always work informally. Those specializing in placing maids are generally women.
Shah Rukh Khan Indian star of Bollywood films that are immensely popular in Morocco.
Si Mohamed Generic name used for a stranger.
Sirwal Loose-fitting pants with a distinctively wide crotch that reaches the knees.
Siviana Moroccan pronunciation of “Sévillane,” a brand of cheap tinned sardines that are very popular in the country.
Tabac: A tobacco store that also sells items such as newspapers, phone cards, and stamps, and is often a bar as well.
Thirty-Six Psychiatric care unit located near Berrechid, approximately twenty-two miles south of Casablanca.
Twin Short for “Twin Center,” a shopping center at the foot of the two twin towers at the entrance of the Maârif neighborhood in Casablanca.
Wilaya Prefecture. The wali, the highest authority in the wilaya, is an important figure in Morocco.
Zellige Moroccan-style tiles, often laid in intricate patterns.
Meryem Alaoui was born and raised in Morocco, where she managed an independent media group that combined publications in French (TelQuel) and Arabic (Nichane). Straight from the Horse’s Mouth, her debut novel, was first published in France, where it has achieved great critical acclaim. After several years in New York, Alaoui now lives in Morocco.
Emma Ramadan is a literary translator based in Providence, Rhode Island, where she co-owns Riffraff bookstore and bar. She is the recipient of an NEA Translation Fellowship, a PEN/Heim Translation Fund grant, a Fulbright, and the 2018 Albertine Prize. Her translations include Sphinx and Not One Day by Anne Garréta, Pretty Things by Virginie Despentes, The Shutters by Ahmed Bouanani, and Me & Other Writing by Marguerite Duras.
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