The Ameni Chronicles Dictionary

Here is a useful list of the foreign-language terms used in "The Ameni Chronicles."

Apostrophes indicate glottal stops common to the Apsiu language. The English language is not as guttural as Apsi, so these cannot be approximated in pronunciation. When saying an Apsiu name with an apostrophe in it, just use a very brief pause to indicate glottal stops; e. g.:

Instead of saying "FeKHERu," say "Fe-KHERu."

Also, the letter combination "kh," while producing the hard K sound, is also slightly aspirated (has an airy h sound at the end), like a slight expulsion of breath from the throat.

I'm obviously no pro at explaining pronunciation, so the old pronunciation code is omitted and my own approximations are now included. When a description won't suffice, an example will be given.

Personal pronunciations:

AH = as in "spot," "piranha" (sometimes interchangeable in the middle or at the end of words with "UH") (Short A sound as in "pat" and "scat" does not exist in the Apsiu tongue.)

AI = as in "spy," "pirate"

AIR = sound as in "flare," "bear"

AW = similar to "O" sound, but slightly different; as in "thaw," "declaw"

AY = as in "hate," "authenticate"

EE = as in "beat," "evil"

EH = as in "pet," "debt"

IH = as in "sit," "nibble"

O = as in "pot," "stop" (since this is so similar to the "AH" sound, may be interchangeable)

OH = as in "home," "potato"

OO = as in "you," "jewel" OR as in "root," "soot"--see individual pronunciations

OR = as in "more," "poor"

OW = as in "plow," "avow"

UH = usually an unaccented or unstressed vowel sound, as in "stuff," "animal," "given" (sometimes interchangeable in the middle or at the end of words with "AH")

More specialized pronunciation examples given with definitions.

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Terms Used In The Story
(Most terms are the same singular as plural.)
UPDATED for Part 56

Aalu: (AH-loo, uh-AH-loo) The Kemeti word for Paradise (also known as the Sekhet Hetepet, or Fields of Peace).

ahi'akhta: (ah-hee-AHK-tuh) The Apsiu word for masturbation.

Amenti: (uh-MEHN-tee, uh-MEHNT-ee) The Kemeti word for the underworld in general (may refer to Hell or Paradise, though the words usually used for that are "Duat" and "Aalu" or "Sekhet Hetepet," respectively).

Antakh: (AHN-tahk) Fabled leader of a Moru revolt against the Kana, which led to the creation of the "Free Apsiu." Has achieved legendary status; is revered by the Free Apsiu, and detested by the Kana.

A note on Antakh & the Free Apsiu: If you have looked at my novel Horus you will know that according to the storyline, Antakh was a real being. However, at the time of the Chronicles, he has been dead for quite some time, and the reality of his existence is questioned by many. (Similar to folk heroes of today.) What stories are told of him are likely to have been greatly embellished over the years so he's achieved a sort of mythic status which is probably much different from the real Antakh. The real Antakh, in fact, was a winged Moru pup who was rescued by a human, when the Apsiu settlement was attacked and all the residents killed by humans in retribution for raids upon their own village. He was raised according to human standards; on reaching adulthood, he learned of the Kana's brutal treatment of their slaves, and set out to attempt to free the Moru. He managed to trick the Kana into believing he was one of them for a time (due to his perfectly formed wings), and during this time convinced the Moru to organize an uprising. His trickery was uncovered, however, when it was revealed he could not fly, but at this point the Moru rebelled against their masters, and they and Antakh escaped into the western desert, to set up base in an oasis. Antakh abolished most of the caste system, doing away with the practice of slavery; old ways died hard however, and he served as the new tribe's leader, with two others serving as his "lieutenants" (although he refused the title of general, and was always known instead as "Leader Antakh"). Although remnants of the caste system had to remain in order to keep the tribe organized and functioning (the obligatory lappets, for example, remained), Moru and females were no longer subservient, and over time, other Apsiu--runaway Moru, Kana who had been reduced to Moru status, and Kana who fled their own way of life--joined the tribe and gave up their old ways; pups born among this tribe were raised in ignorance of the old Kana/Moru system. This tribe in time split into several tribes which spread out, remaining mostly in the western oases, and acquired the general name of "Free Apsiu." They have their own society exclusive of the typical Kana society and for the most part the two do not interact with each other except on antagonistic terms; traditional Apsiu tribes will attack the Free Apsiu in search of slaves and mates, and the Free Apsiu will fight to defend themselves and their land. Aside from self-defense, the Free Apsiu do not participate in raids upon others, and for the most part are a peaceful society, though they can be savage when threatened. Their tribal groups freely meet and mingle on friendly terms, without all of the political and martial posturing of the Kana, and do not usually bear tribal names (e. g., Great Red Tribe, River Tribe, Shore Tribe, etc.); neither do they live in the typical walled cities of the Kana, instead inhabiting loosely organized villages. The Free Apsiu despise the slavery system still in place within traditional Apsiu society, whereas the traditional Kana detest the Free Apsiu for their disregard of traditional ways; in the eyes of the Kana, the Free Apsiu are nothing more than rebel slaves and insurgents, and any Kana who willingly live amongst them are traitors.

Apsi: (AHP-see) The language of the Apsiu (also occasionally the adjective form of the word Apsiu). There are two kinds--the kind the Kana speak (known as Kana or Higher Apsi), and the basic kind the Moru speak (known as Moru or Lower Apsi).

Apsiu: (ahp-SEE-oo) A strange race of creatures in the story. They have two kinds, the warrior Kana and slave Moru. An Apsiu's status is determined firstly by his wings and secondly by his lappets.

djan'tah: (JAHN-tah) The Apsiu word for an overly superstitious person. Often used disparagingly or with mockery.

djan'tahi: (jahn-TAH-hee) The Apsiu word for superstitious, as in an overly superstitious person; adjective version of "djan'tah." (Could also likely be used interchangeably as a noun.)

Duat: (DOO-aht) The Kemeti word for "Hell" (may refer to the Underworld itself, though the word usually used for that is "Amenti").

Free Apsiu: Loosely organized bands of Apsiu who have either been raised in a noncaste society, or have given up the typical Apsiu caste system; they generally inhabit the western oases, secluded from and at constant odds with traditional Apsiu society. The original Free Apsiu society was created and led by the winged Moru rebel, Antakh. (See Antakh.)

hakh'tehi: (hakh-TEH-hee) The Apsiu word for analingus ("rimming").

hakh'tua: (hahk-TOO-uh) The Apsiu word for oral sex (either kind, but more frequently refers to fellatio). Often used as foreplay or as a sign of domination/submission or humiliation (receiver is dominant).

hata'tai: (hah-tuh-TAI) The Apsiu word for an orphan or castoff, one without parents or a family.

iat'ah: (ee-uht-AH) The Apsiu word for virgin (usually an adjective, but sometimes used interchangeably with the noun form, "iat'ahi").

iat'ahi: (ee-uht-AH-hee) The Apsiu word for virgin (usually a noun, but sometimes used interchangeably with the adjective form, "iat'ah").

ka: (KAH) The Kemeti term for a sort of "spirit double" or "doppelganger" of a person; this is a part that survives after death, sometimes returning to the body in its tomb, much like a ghost. If the ka has no body (or suitable replacement, like a statue) to return to, it may become a troublesome haunt.

A note on the soul in Kemeti culture: The Kemeti believed in several different aspects of a person's noncorporeal being, among them the spirit, soul, double, shadow, etc. The proper term for the soul is ba (a human-headed bird which descended into the underworld after death and stayed there), but I sometimes use the word ka interchangeably to mean the "soul." Pretty much, it is a concept which loses a little bit in translation, so I play a little fast and loose with the words ka and ba. In my writing, "ba" refers SPECIFICALLY to the human-headed soul of the dead, which remains in the underworld; whereas I use "ka" to mean "spirit," "soul," "double," and "ghost" in general. As such, the word "ka" is used much more often and in a wider capacity. The Apsiu do not believe in these different elements of the noncorporeal being, instead positing a general belief in ghosts (spirits/souls which survive death, and may or may not return to haunt the living). Even this belief, however, is often considered superstitious.

Kana: (KAH-nuh) The warrior Apsiu, creatures who can fly. They keep the Moru as slaves. Kana are always male.

kanana: (kuh-NAH-nuh, kah-NAH-nah) The Apsiu name for a type of nut, the oil of which is used medicinally to numb pain. It's unclear if the name is associated with the word "Kana" in any way; if it is, it may be in reference to the oil being used to treat aching or injured wings, but this is just speculation.

Kemet: (KEHM-eht, KEH-meht) The human name of the land/country the Apsiu and themselves live in. (Nowadays known as Egypt.)

Kemeti: (kehm-EHT-ee, keh-MEHT-ee) Adjective form, or noun meaning "one of Kemet" (i. e., a human native of the land of Kemet).

Kenta'hethikh: (kehn-tuh-HEHTH-ihk, kehn-tuh-HEH-thihk) The "Chief Marker" of the Apsiu, usually in service to the general. It is the Kenta'hethikh's duty to "mark" convicted criminals upon the face, either by branding or more commonly by tattooing a mark under their eye; the mark denotes the type of crime the Apsiu has committed, for example, "Traitor," "Spy," "Murderer," "Child Molester," etc. The reasoning behind the Kenta'hethikh's duties is primarily that of public humiliation, though the marks also serve as a warning to other Apsiu who may come into contact with the convicted (if he is later released from custody/imprisonment). The Kenta'hethikh's services are almost always reserved for use on the worst offenders (primarily spies and traitors, but also murderers, rapists, etc.), but on occasion they may be employed in the case of a repeat offender, or simply at a powerful Kana's behest.

Kenta'tapa: (kehn-tuh-TAH-puh) The "Chief Examiner" of the Apsiu, usually in service to the general. Also known as the Chief Interrogator. Basically, it is the Kenta'tapa's duty to torture captured enemies or criminals until they give information or confess. The Kenta'tapa is usually used only in the most extreme cases, such as with enemy spies or traitors, in which the party being interrogated will usually end up executed. Members of the regular army are often used instead as examiners/interrogators in lesser offenses. The Kenta'tapa is skilled at more ornate means of torture (cutting, whipping, removal of body parts, burning, psychological coercion, etc.), whereas regular soldiers often resort simply to beating their suspects.

khef'khef: (KEHF-kehf) The Apsiu word for fisting.

kru'sieb: (KROO-see-ehb) An Apsiu slang word meaning, basically, "silvertongue," or one who speaks eloquently/convincingly; see "Thi'usa Kru'sieb."

Maat: (MAHT, muh-AHT) The Kemeti goddess of truth and order; also, when used with a small M, the general concept of these same things. To "swear by Maat" is to swear to tell the truth; to "speak maat" is to tell the truth; etc.

Moru: (MOR-oo) The slave Apsiu, creatures who cannot fly. They are the slaves of the Kana.

natron: (NAY-trun) Salt used by the Kemeti to embalm and preserve the dead. After the internal organs were removed, bodies were placed in a bath of this to dry them out for mummification.

nesakh'ai: (nehss-uhk-AI) The Apsiu word for sex.

nunun: (NOO-noon, second "oo" either as in "root" or "soon") An Apsiu word referring to the act of urinating, indicating someone who does so; seeing as everybody urinates, this word then specifies an unusual instance. Basically, the word means "pisser." Its one occurrence in the story so far refers jokingly to a character who has been urinated upon, which is a somewhat incorrect and more generalized use of the term. As can be imagined, not a word that is used very often.

rui'sa: (roo-EE-suh) An Apsiu word which translates best as "sniveling coward" or "simpering coward," giving the idea of one who flatters those of higher status, while insulting them, complaining about them, and/or acting against them behind their backs; also implies hypocrisy. Always used insultingly.

sen'akha: (sehn-AH-kuh) The Apsiu word for gay or homosexual (usually an adjective, but sometimes used as a singular noun in place of "sen'akhai").

sen'akhai: (sehn-ahk-AI) The Apsiu word for a gay person (sometimes used interchangeably with the adjective form, "sen'akha").

sen'akhau: (sehn-ahk-OW) The plural (and rarely used) form of "sen'akhai."

A note on homosexuality in Kana culture: Once I was asked why some of the Kana in the Chronicles make such a big deal out of being proclaimed sen'akha (gay), when same-sex relations are apparently so common. The answer is that the Kana see nothing wrong with same-sex relations, so long as a Kana warrior has Kana sons (meaning by a female). Of course, if a Kana has sex exclusively with men, he can't have Kana sons, and so he can be shunned or humiliated as this is so important to their culture. Thus Kana who are frequently with other men can be mocked, and this is sometimes something they wish to avoid. Hence their reluctance to admit their preferences, despite indulging in them. Frequently, in the case of the Chronicles! ^_^

senet: (SEHN-eht) The Kemeti word for a board game played by both Kemeti and Apsiu, similar to modern-day chess.

Sha: (SHAH) The Apsiu's beast of burden, a creature similar to a stocky horse or pony; its facial features resemble their own. Used for riding and labor.

te'hua: (TAY-hoo-uh, TAY-hwuh, tay-HOO-uh) The Apsiu term for a hermaphrodite, either in general, or a male possessing male and female characteristics.

te'huai: (TAY-hoo-ai, TAY-hwai, tay-HOO-ai) The Apsiu word for hermaphrodite (adjective form).

te'huat: (TAY-hoo-aht, TAY-hwaht, tay-HOO-aht) The Apsiu term for a female hermaphrodite.

te'huau: (TAY-hoo-ow, TAY-hwow, tay-HOO-ow) The plural form of "te'hua."

tenkh'e hi'en: (TEHN-kay HEE-uhn, TEHNG-kay HEE-uhn) An Apsiu insult, meaning "rabid mutt."

thik'ahi: (thihk-AH-hee) The Apsiu word for clitoris ("pleasure spot").

"Thi'usa Kru'sieb": (thee-OO-suh KROO-see-ehb) An Apsiu nickname for the character Thi'usa, meaning "Thi'usa Silvertongue."

ti'hep'ha: (tee-HEHP-hah) The Apsiu word for weakling (usually a noun).

unat'e: (oo-NAHT-ay) The Apsiu word for a servile, obedient person who strives to follow all the rules to a fault; better known by the modern slang term "goody-two-shoes." Often used disparagingly or with mockery.

More definitions to come