I Am a Bacha Posh cover art

I Am a Bacha Posh

My Life as a Woman Living as a Man in Afghanistan

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

I Am a Bacha Posh

By: Ukmina Manoori, Stephanie Lebrun, Peter E. Chianchiano - translator
Narrated by: Ariana Delawari
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $16.99

Buy Now for $16.99

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. Cultural & Regional Gender Studies Military Social Sciences Women War
All stars
Most relevant  
What an amazing story, what an amazing person. She/ he had an amazing heart and love for her country and it's people. This is an story well worth you to.e to hear. I learnt alot about Afghanistan and its people. Thank you for sharing your story. Absolutely amazing.

Strength with Love

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I know the subject of gender issues in Afghanistan has become better known by Westerners. Its a private issue best discussed by those involved and the Afghan people....i have no right to say anything except it was an interesting and thought provoking book. I love books about strong women and so apprecciated this. Thank you author and Audible.

Interesting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Awful narration, so slow, flat and lifeless. Couldn't bear listening past 3 chapters. The narration totally ruined the experience.

Appalling narration!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.