Indulgences

1. Xalwo

   Xalwo (Somali halwa sweet)

   Usage

   A popular Somali sweet, made from sugar, ghee and starch, served on special occasions such as Eid and weddings.

   Grammar Note

   In the dictionary xalwad is the headword and xalwo its synonym. The word comes from Arabic halwa, and x is a pharyngeal sound.

2. Doolshe

   Doolshe (cake or baked sweet)

   Usage

   A sweet made from flour, eggs, milk and sugar. The word comes from Italian dolce and is used for cakes in general.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary lists doorshe as a variant. Italian loanwords are spelled with Somali letters.

3. Jalaato

   Ice cream

   Usage

   A word that came from Italian gelato. The dictionary describes sweet things mixed and frozen, which people lick.

   Grammar Note

   Jalaato is feminine, with the definite form jalaatada.

4. Buskud

   Biscuit

   Usage

   A small, hard sweet baked treat.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary defines it as a small, flat, hard, sweet baked item. It is masculine, with the definite form buskudka.

5. Nacnac

   Hard candy

   Usage

   A small, fragrant sweet that is sucked slowly.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary defines nacnac as a small fragrant sweet that is sucked. It is masculine.

6. Macmacaan

   Sweets (sweet things)

   Usage

   A general word for sweets and sweet drinks.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary defines it as food or drink made to taste sweet. It is formed from macaan (sweet).

7. Malab

   Honey

   Usage

   A very sweet food made by bees.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary defines it as the very sweet substance bees make. It is masculine, with the definite form malabka.

8. Timir

   Dates (date fruit)

   Usage

   A sweet fruit, favoured as the first food at sunset when breaking the fast during Ramadan.

   Grammar Note

   Timir is feminine, with the definite form timirta. The dictionary lists both the palm-like tree and its fruit.

9. Sabiib

   Raisins

   Usage

   Dried grapes.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary defines sabiib as dried grape fruit and gives sibiib as a variant.

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