The Making of a Social Reformer
[ Gandhi In South Africa, 1893-1914 ]


Glossary of Terms

  • agnihotra: rituals of sacrifice with the use of fire
  • alim (plural ulama): learned men in Islamic religious sciences
  • anjuman: a Muslim association
  • arthi: waving of lamps before the alter
  • bhajan: religious hymn
  • cha-pani: refreshments
  • darshana: visual feasting of the gods
  • Dassera: Hindu festival commemorating Rama’s victory over Ravana
  • Diwali (Dipavali): the Hindu festival of lights
  • Eid-ul-fitr  : festival marking the end of fast observed during month Ramadan
  • Eid-ul-Zuha(Bakri-id) : festival to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim
  • ghazal : genre of lyric poems originating in Arabia in the late seventh century
  • haj: pilgrimage to Mecca
  • homa: rituals of sacrifice
  • ilm: Islamic knowledge
  • imam: Muslim priest who leads the prayers in mosque
  • jamat: Muslim congregation 
  • kavady: religious festival honoring Muruga, son of Lord Shiva
  • khalifa: a successor of the Prophet Mahomed as head of the Muslim community
  • kirtan: religious hymn
  • kom: community
  • Krishna Jayanti (Krishnajanmastmi): celebration of Krishna’s birthday
  • madressa: school teaching the Koran in Arabic
  • majlis : an assembly commemorating the sufferings of the House of Hussain
  • mandal: association/club
  • mantra: sacred chants
  • masjid: mosque
  • maulana: an Islamic religious scholar
  • maulvi: a religious leader 
  • mehfil (mehafil): a committee or an organization
  • Milad-ul-Nabi: festival to honor Prophet Mahomed’s birthday
  • Mohurram (Muhharum): festival commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mahomed in 680 ACE
  • mosque (masjid): a place of worship for Muslims
  • murthi: icons representing gods and deities
  • namaz: prescribed prayer in Islam
  • nyati : caste/community
  • ooros (urs): festival commemorating death of a saint; also term for wedding or fare
  • panchamrita: liquid confection
  • pir: spiritual guide in the Sufi tradition
  • puja: prayers
  • praja: nation.
  • prasada: food representing the deity’s power and grace  
  • Ramadan (Ramzan): fast observed during the holy month of the Muslim calendar
  • Ramnavami: celebration of Lord Rama’s birthday
  • sabha: association
  • sharia: Islamic law
  • sandhya: rituals of prayer
  • Shia: follower of Ali, the first cousin of Prophet Mahomed
  • Shravan: a Holy month for Hindus dedicated to Lord Shiva
  • Sunni: Muslim who acknowledges first four Khalifas as successors of Prophet Mahomed
  • swadeshi: self-reliance through support of indigenous institutions; patriotism
  • tajjia: decorated miniature mausoleums carried during mohharum  
  • qawwali: devotional songs in the Sufi tradition
  • yagna: sacrifice