I Am a Bacha Posh
My Life as a Woman Living as a Man in Afghanistan
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I Am a Bacha Posh
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Narrated by:
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Ariana Delawari
About this listen
"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.
©2014 Ukmina Manoori and Stephanie Lebrun Translation 2014 by Peter E. Chianchiano (P)2014 Audible Inc.What listeners say about I Am a Bacha Posh
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tataypoghi
- 2023-04-09
Informative
author clearly has internalized misogyny even while she seems feminist compared to those around herself-mostly she seems to look down on women that adhere to standards of femininity even while acknowledging her own barely accepted struggles to be accepted even with cultural views that gives her an "excuse" of sorts to not conform to gender norms
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Serena
- 2024-05-18
Deeply moving
This is a fascinating look into the life of Ukmina Manoori as a Bocha Posh who never gave up the men’s clothing as expected of her at puberty. This book is very illuminating and revealing both of Ukmina and the culture and country she grows up in — Afghanistan during a very specific time frame. It is indeed deeply moving but also disturbing and heart breaking. And yet, ultimately it is inspiring.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Roberta W
- 2024-06-08
Wow…. fascinating
What an incredible look into a way of life so few have even known about, let alone understood. At first I thought it was going to be all about courage, but it’s so much more complex. Great insights into life in Afghanistan over the years, especially what it has meant for women. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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