Language glossary / Word explanation
| Word / phrase | Simple meaning |
|---|---|
| Hooyo / Hoyo | Mother. |
| Hooyo Macaanto | Sweet/dear mother. A loving address, like saying “my beautiful mother” or “beloved mum.” |
| Makan | Place / birthright place. In the poem it becomes more than land: it means where the spirit belongs. |
| Makan xaqiiqi | True place / real birthright place. A deeper home that cannot be reduced to a passport or border. |
| Guriga | Home / house. The physical home, but also the feeling of being held by family and story. |
| Fooraha / Furaha | Key. |
| Baab / Bab | Door/gate /portal. |
| Ard | Land/earth. |
| Aman | Peace/safety. |
| Yaroo | Little/soft/young, depending on context and sound. In the lullaby section it carries baby voice softness. |
| Shaah | Somali tea. More than a drink: it is family, healing, hospitality, memory and Guriga (HOME in a cup). |
| Chai | Tea. Used as a familiar bridge for readers, while shaah keeps the Somali flavour and cultural meaning. |
| Sheeko | Story/storytelling. A Somali doorway into oral tradition, community memory and testimony. |
| Buranbur | Somali women’s poetic song/dance tradition. Connects the mother figure to rhythm, spirit and oral culture. |
| Huuwaya Huuwa | A lullaby sound/mother-song. |
| Yeed too soo | Stitching/calling together in a monotone. |
| Tahrib | A dangerous migration journey or survival crossing. It carries risk, fear, movement and the search for safety. |
| Sabr | Patience. A spiritual survival tool: waiting, healing, and staying steady after hardship. |
| Jaceyl / Jee eel | Love. The birthright is not paperwork; it is love, breath, and the hand that held us first. |
| Hawaa / HA waaah | Air/breath. The sound also performs breathing on stage. |
| Gacan / Kacaanta | Hand. The hand that held us before judgement; also a sign of care, welcome and community. |
| Xaqiiqi | True / real. In “makan xaqiiqi” it means the real place of belonging beyond borders. |
| Sayta hay / Sidee tahay | How are you? A Somali greeting doorway into conversation and welcome. |
| Iska warran / Eska Waa Raan | How are things? OR Tell me the news. A social greeting that invites dialogue. |
