KOUMMIYA MILITARY OR TOURIST?

FenrisWolf · 25th January 2007, 04:05 AM

The tricky thing about Moroccan koummiya/jambiyas is that Moroccan merchants have been selling them to tourists for a VERY long time. While they may not have used the same terminology, I don't doubt that there were merchant stalls selling souvenirs to Viking warriors on their way to serve as guards on the Byzantine court at Constantinople.

The rule of thumb I try and use is, can I imagine using a particular example to defend myself in a street brawl? It doesn't matter how pretty it is, if it has a cheap blade and flimsy construction, it's a tourist piece and not the 'real thing'. Of the ones I see listed for sale on ebay, I'd say at least 95% are souvenir pieces.

Fenris

ErnestoJuan · 28th January 2007, 03:24 PM

Hi guys,

This is in my humble koumya opinion clearly a tourist piece. I am still looking for a piccie I thought I had. It showed a Fez bazaar shop with tens and tens of these hanging on the wall of the shop for sale.

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25th January 2007, 04:05 AM	#1
FenrisWolf Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 181	The tricky thing about Moroccan koummiya/jambiyas is that Moroccan merchants have been selling them to tourists for a VERY long time. While they may not have used the same terminology, I don't doubt that there were merchant stalls selling souvenirs to Viking warriors on their way to serve as guards on the Byzantine court at Constantinople. The rule of thumb I try and use is, can I imagine using a particular example to defend myself in a street brawl? It doesn't matter how pretty it is, if it has a cheap blade and flimsy construction, it's a tourist piece and not the 'real thing'. Of the ones I see listed for sale on ebay, I'd say at least 95% are souvenir pieces. Fenris

28th January 2007, 03:24 PM	#2
ErnestoJuan Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Europa Posts: 60	Hi guys, This is in my humble koumya opinion clearly a tourist piece. I am still looking for a piccie I thought I had. It showed a Fez bazaar shop with tens and tens of these hanging on the wall of the shop for sale.