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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