kourghli كورغولية
Algerian Darja · noun
“kourghli” (كورغولية) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning descendant of Turks and Algerian women.
Meanings
- descendant of Turks and Algerian women
- the Kouloughli community
Usage
Kourghli (plural kraghla, feminine kourghlia) refers to the descendants of Ottoman soldiers settled in Algeria and Algerian women. The word is used mainly in old cities such as Tlemcen or Algiers, and many families claim it as a family and urban identity. It comes up when talking about genealogy, culinary or clothing traditions. In some mouths it can carry a mocking nuance. The reference definition that makes it an insult tied to illegitimate unions does not reflect current usage. The term should be used with tact, and one should call someone kourghli only if the family presents itself that way.
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “kourghli” but also “kraghla” and “kourghlia”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.