Glossary

Anda

The customary grand marriage of Grande Comore, which raises the groom to the rank of notable. Read

Caldera

A vast depression at the summit of a volcano, formed by the collapse of its magma chamber. Karthala's is one of the largest in the world. Read

Chiromani

A length of draped fabric, often red and white, worn by the women of Anjouan. Read

Coelacanth

A “living fossil” fish that appeared more than 400 million years ago and lives in the deep waters of the Comoros. Read

Debaa

A religious chant danced by women in Mayotte, in honour of the Prophet. Read

Dhow

A traditional wooden sailing ship of the Indian Ocean, long used for trade between Arabia, Africa and the archipelago. Read

Djinn

An invisible spirit of Muslim and popular belief, very present in the tales. Read

Djoho

An embroidered ceremonial coat worn by men at ceremonies. Read

Fundi

Master, specialist; refers in particular to someone who knows how to communicate with djinns. Read

Hadithi

A story held to be true (the history of a place or a family), as opposed to a tale. Also called hadisi. Read

Hale

Tale, in Shingazidja. “Hale!” – “Halele!” is also the formula that opens tales in Mayotte. Read

Hirimu

An age group bringing together the men of the same village on Grande Comore. Read

Kashkazi

The hot, humid season (November to April), brought by the north-west monsoon. Read

Kibushi

A language of Malagasy origin spoken in several villages of Mayotte. Read

Kofia

A hand-embroidered cap worn by men. Read

Kusi

The cool, dry season (May to October), dominated by the south-east trade winds. Read

Kwassa-kwassa

A small motorboat used for clandestine crossings between Anjouan and Mayotte. Read

Lagoon

A stretch of shallow water separated from the ocean by a coral barrier. Mayotte's covers about 1,300 km². Read

Makua

A people of northern Mozambique; in the Comoros, the word long referred to slaves and their descendants. Read

Manzaraka

The Mahoran grand marriage. Read

Maoulid

The festival of the Prophet's birth, celebrated with collective chants and recitations. Read

Mataba

A dish of pounded cassava leaves simmered in coconut milk. Read

Medina

An old town with narrow alleys, a legacy of the Swahili cities. Read

Mila na ntsi

The customary system of Grande Comore, literally “the customs and the land”. Read

Msindzano

A beauty mask made from sandalwood grated on coral. Read

Saluva

The emblematic draped garment of the women of Mayotte (also spelt salouva). Read

Shikomori

The Comorian language, of the Bantu family, close to Swahili. Read

Shirazi

The name of noble lineages that claim descent from princes who came from Shiraz, in Persia. Read

Sultan tibe

The title of the paramount sultan of Grande Comore, contested between the various sultanates. Read

Twarab

Music of Zanzibari origin, blending Arab and African influences, played at weddings. Read

Wadaha

A women's pestle dance, set to the rhythm of rice being pounded in a mortar. Read

Ylang-ylang

A tree whose flowers produce an essential oil highly prized in perfumery, emblem of the “perfume islands”. Read

Ziara

A sacred place associated with spirits (lake, tree, stone, tomb), where people come to pray or leave offerings. Read

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