Ayam

English

Alternative forms

• 'Ayam

Etymology

Borrowed from Gulf Arabic عَيَم (ʕayam, “Kuwaiti citizens of Iranian descent”), plural of عيمي (ʕīmi), from Classical Arabic عَجَم (ʕajam, “non-Arabs, especially Persians”). Doublet of Ajam and aljamiado.

Proper noun

Ayam

1. Kuwaiti citizens of Iranian origin.

   Synonyms: Iranian-Kuwaitis, Ajam

   • 2012, Najebah Marafi, The Intertwined Conflict: The Difference Between Culture and Religion, Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN, page 15:

     Ayam are people who migrated to Kuwait from Iran a long time ago and took some of their traditions from Persians and Iranians in addition to Islam. The majority of Ayam are Shiite Muslims. At first their language was Farsi when they migrated ...

   • 2016, ALSALHI, AHMAD ALI. "ṢAUT IN BAHRAIN AND KUWAIT: History and Creativity in Concept and Practice." (p. 27)

     Ethnic music is a category that comprises Kuwaitis of non-Arab origin, such as Iranians known as ‘ayam, and African people known as khawāl (black) or ‘abīd (slaves). Iranian Kuwaitis’ music features the bagpipe (habbān) and is generally performed during weddings. African Kuwaitis have two types of music, ṭanbūraand leiwa. Traditionally, these were both used to conjure spirits or to appease them.

Translations

Kuwaiti citizens of Iranian origin

Arabic: عَيَم m (ʕayam) Gulf Arabic: عَيَم m (ʕayam)

Further reading

• 'Ajam of Kuwait on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• Amya, Maya, Yama, amay, maya