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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
Excellent example Ibrahiim!!!
I think this mention of Muscat and San'aa and this remarkably similar example returns to my original thoughts on the Bedouin sabres which have again somewhat similarly shaped hilts sans the knuckleguard. Interestingly there is a certain gestalt here which recalls the Ethiopian gurades in thier reflection of European military sabres with knuckleguard and particularly the large squared langets with rounded corners. I think this would fall well in place with the use of domestic product scrap metal in regions as mentioned by Colin and the occurrence of these kinds of swords in Kassala as described by Ed. All of these points of contact are within the Red Sea trade sphere.
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Salaams Jim, Yes I think they are Bedouin by style though they are the cheap end of what has been a vanishing artefact style.. Whilst they could be used in a fight I think they are badge of office and dancing "props" used at functions, weddings, Eids etc... in part of a tradition going back centuries.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.