Finding The Road Back To Myself - A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar

 

Jallabiya (جلابية) - Type of long loose fitting garment. The role of the clothing represents Nadali's culture as an Egyptian-Palestinian.

Karamati (كَرَامَاتِي) - Translates to "my dignity", meaning a sense of pride or self respect in which is a saying that Nadali keeps in her mind since it's something her father always said. Karamati bears significance towards Nadali's self actualization and her internal view of home within herself. It shows that Nadali has a great sense of character and good moral compass, even if her answer was said while she was half awake/half asleep.

Fateha (الفاتحة) - Translates to "the opening" in relation to the beginning of the first chapter of the Quran , which bears a heavy religious importance. In Islam it's recited in daily prayers and the connection with Fateha is part of Nadali's identity as she is learning more about the Qur'an.

Surat ul-shrah (سُورَةُ الشَّرۡحِ) - Translates to the "the comfort/relief". The role this word has in the novel is that it means to help Nadali get into remembering the scriptures within the Qur'an. Which is very ironic as she is getting severely beat by her father for not properly saying the words of a verse that's meant to give you relief.

Za'tar (زَعْتَر) - Is a mix of herbal spices mix together with other ingredients. This word appeared very frequently which I felt held a major importance towards the role of food and how it's a sense of home for her. 

Kuss (كُسّ) - An explicit derogatory term for the female genitalia. This word was mention quite a lot specifically from Nadali's mother to the point were it might be her favorite cuss word. It plays into the family dynamics a bit as she would say this to her husband Waheed, whenever they get into an argument. 

Suhoor (سَحَری) - A meal eaten before sunrise during the holy month of Ramadan. The role it plays in the novel is that it's part of Nadali's cultural identity and self actualization of what home is to her of being able to figure it out. 

La hawla wala quwata illa bi'llah (لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِالله) - Is a form of dhikr and a statement that is said when trying to obtain oneness or seek a connection or advice from the creator. According to the article, Life with Allah  one of the meanings is "There is no power in averting evil, nor strength by attaining good, except through Allah". The role of this Hawqalah is that in the book it was repeated by Nadali's father who was in denial of his daughter's flinching every time he raised his hands. He's reciting this knowing that the abuse he is putting on his daughter is having consequences but instead of admitting it, Waheed is deflecting it with "Palestinian war-refugee trauma".

Al-Toba (ٱلتَّوْبَة)‎ - Means "mercy", and the role of this folk song is a connection towards Nadali's sense of home and family dynamic. The irony of Nadali singing the song is because it made her remember the times she was abused by her Baba, and that the pain she feels from banging her hands on the pot is the same pain she feels when Baba complains about beating her.

Kaffiyeh (كُوفِيَّة) - Is significant to the struggles of the Palestinian people and it represents the ode to freedom. Kaffiiyeh's role represents a part of Nadali's cultural identity and political connection as someone who is part Palestinian, but it also shed's light on on the internal conflict of Nadali's nationality since she comes from multiple cultures. 

Word Count: 597