‘Moughamara’: The Arabic word for adventure is all about escapism

Often used in literature and film as a theme, the word has timeless and universal appeal

Moughamara, which means adventure, can be physical, mental or emotional. The National

“To live will be an awfully big adventure,” wrote JM Barrie in Peter Pan, which was first performed in 1904.

The line, spoken by Peter Pan himself, has had many iterations over the years, and not only captures the essence of the story but emphasises the idea that life is meant to be experienced in all its facets as if it's an adventure.

This week’s Arabic word of the week, moughamara, which means adventure, is a word that has been a great theme across literature and films. From the idea of escapism and exploration to self-discovery and growth, moughamara has timeless and universal appeal.

Moughamara is a noun whose plural is moughamarat. The official definition of moughamara is “an exciting surprise and a fantastical happening full of potential risk”. The word originates from the verb ghaamara, derived from the four Arabic letters Ghah, Alif, Meem, Rah.

Ghaamara means someone who puts himself in situations of adventure when he or she finds himself in danger and stress. Someone who often does this is known as moughamir, a person willing to put themselves in risky situations and to deal with the consequences of those risks.

In this context, moughamarat doesn’t necessarily only pertain to a physical adventure, like travelling to unchartered territories or deciding to sky dive, but also mental and emotional ones too. Choosing to take a risk at work, with investment, or in a relationship – both platonic and romantic – are all also forms of moughamara.

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It’s important to note that there is another word in Arabic that is sometimes used to refer to adventure: mujazafa. However, there is a clear distinction between the two.

Moughamara, while referring to an adventure, experience or activity that involves an element of risk, is often one that is discussed, intended and planned in order to achieve a specific goal. However, mujazafa is an adventure with no clear plan or direction.

There are several other words that also originate from the verb ghaamara that have meanings related to the concept of mughamara.

Ghumara is a verb which means to envelope something or someone. This can refer to both physical and emotional envelopment. For example, water overfilling a tank or the feeling of love enveloping a person.

There is also the word ghumour, which refers to the colour orange created specifically from the spice saffron. The colour is bold, powerful and encompasses the object it’s applied on.

In both these cases, the idea of moughamara as an event or experience that takes over one's life is reflected as an idea of anything that is all-consuming and enveloping.