I am a bacha posh : my life as a woman living as a man in Afghanistan /
Manoori, Ukmina.
I am a bacha posh : my life as a woman living as a man in Afghanistan / My life as a woman living as a man in Afghanistan Ukmina Manoori ; in collaboration with Stéphanie Lebrun ; translated by Peter E. Chianchiano Jr. - xii, 154 pages ; 24 cm.
"Previously published as Je suis une bacha posh in 2013 by Éditions Michel Lafon."
From Kabul to New York -- "You will be a boy, my girl" -- In the flesh of a man -- Being sixteen years old in the jihad -- The time of heroes -- Prisoner under the Taliban -- The first vote -- Alone before Allah -- Candidate to serve women -- The hand of President Karzai -- With the American troops -- Badgai, the sacrifice of the life of a woman -- Epilogue.
"You will be a son, my daughter." With these stunning words Ukmina learned that she was to spend her childhood as a boy. In Afghanistan there is a widespread practice of girls dressing as boys to play the role of a son. These children are called bacha posh : literally "girls dressed as boys." This practice offers families the freedom to allow their child to shop and work-and in some cases, it saves them from the disgrace of not having a male heir. But in adolescence, religion restores the natural law. The girls must marry, give birth, and give up their freedom. Ukmina decided to confront social and family pressure and keep her menswear. This brave choice paved the way for an extraordinary destiny: she wages war against the Soviets, assists the mujaheddin and ultimately commands the respect of all whom she encounters. She eventually becomes one of the elected council members of her province. But freedom always has a price. For "Ukmina warrior" that price was her life as a woman. This is a stunning and brave memoir about a little known practice that will challenge your perceptions about gender and the courage it takes to live your life to the fullest.
1629146811 9781629146812
Manoori, Ukmina.
Gender identity--Afghanistan.
Women--Political activity--Afghanistan.
Women--Afghanistan--Biography.
I am a bacha posh : my life as a woman living as a man in Afghanistan / My life as a woman living as a man in Afghanistan Ukmina Manoori ; in collaboration with Stéphanie Lebrun ; translated by Peter E. Chianchiano Jr. - xii, 154 pages ; 24 cm.
"Previously published as Je suis une bacha posh in 2013 by Éditions Michel Lafon."
From Kabul to New York -- "You will be a boy, my girl" -- In the flesh of a man -- Being sixteen years old in the jihad -- The time of heroes -- Prisoner under the Taliban -- The first vote -- Alone before Allah -- Candidate to serve women -- The hand of President Karzai -- With the American troops -- Badgai, the sacrifice of the life of a woman -- Epilogue.
"You will be a son, my daughter." With these stunning words Ukmina learned that she was to spend her childhood as a boy. In Afghanistan there is a widespread practice of girls dressing as boys to play the role of a son. These children are called bacha posh : literally "girls dressed as boys." This practice offers families the freedom to allow their child to shop and work-and in some cases, it saves them from the disgrace of not having a male heir. But in adolescence, religion restores the natural law. The girls must marry, give birth, and give up their freedom. Ukmina decided to confront social and family pressure and keep her menswear. This brave choice paved the way for an extraordinary destiny: she wages war against the Soviets, assists the mujaheddin and ultimately commands the respect of all whom she encounters. She eventually becomes one of the elected council members of her province. But freedom always has a price. For "Ukmina warrior" that price was her life as a woman. This is a stunning and brave memoir about a little known practice that will challenge your perceptions about gender and the courage it takes to live your life to the fullest.
1629146811 9781629146812
Manoori, Ukmina.
Gender identity--Afghanistan.
Women--Political activity--Afghanistan.
Women--Afghanistan--Biography.