My Jambiya [need help]

Devadatta · 23rd May 2010, 10:35 PM

Hmmm...

So who must be the man shown at 50 YMR banknote? He also has a dagger...Strange - I was sure that's Ma'adkarib (and search-engine actually thinks the same)

Alvaro · 23rd May 2010, 10:45 PM

in my opinion the man on the 200 YER banknote doesn't really look like a statue.
Anyway, I've got another question

is the Jambiya unique to Jemen, or is it used in other countries as well?

Devadatta · 23rd May 2010, 11:05 PM

Well, the same forms can be found in all regions of Arabic peninsula and in other countries which were influensed by Arabs. In most western sources all such daggers are called jambiya, however they have their own regional differences and in most cases they have local names (for example, Omanian traditional dagger is called khanjar, and even though it looks very similar to Yemeni, still there are certain differences which allow to bring it to a separate category).

Alvaro · 23rd May 2010, 11:07 PM

Thanks for the quick reply

youre posts are very useful to me

Devadatta · 23rd May 2010, 11:11 PM

Always welcome, and I also suggest you to use search-engine of this forum to find some interesting topics about jambiya. There are a lot of specialists here whose knowledge on the subject are much wider, than mine are

And I'd also show one of Hizam, as we spoke about these belts...

kahnjar1 · 24th May 2010, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devadatta

Well, the same forms can be found in all regions of Arabic peninsula and in other countries which were influensed by Arabs. In most western sources all such daggers are called jambiya, however they have their own regional differences and in most cases they have local names (for example, Omanian traditional dagger is called khanjar, and even though it looks very similar to Yemeni, still there are certain differences which allow to bring it to a separate category).

Some pics of the various types herewith for comparison with the Meccan style.
Shown are: 3 different Omani Khanjar, Jizan, Tehama
As you can see that while there is a distinct similarity, there are subtle differences.

Devadatta · 24th May 2010, 06:03 AM

Hi Stu,

I maybe mistaken, but I think your third Omani khanjar is actually more typical for Saudi Arabia

That's a picture from flickr.com taken by a french photographer Eric Lafforgue

Also as I noticed those khanjars worn in Saudi usually have more curved scabbard than Omani ones, and mainly they are placed straight vertical, not with a slope to the left like Omanis...

kahnjar1 · 24th May 2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devadatta

Hi Stu,

I maybe mistaken, but I think your third Omani khanjar is actually more typical for Saudi Arabia

That's a picture from flickr.com taken by a french photographer Eric Lafforgue

Also as I noticed those khanjars worn in Saudi usually have more curved scabbard than Omani ones, and mainly they are placed straight vertical, not with a slope to the left like Omanis...

I see what you mean. Quite possibly the third one is of Saudi origin. I had not noticed that the scabbard tip had a more upward end to it. In more modern times the styles tended to "drift" somewhat as travel became easier on the Arabian Peninsula.

Alvaro · 24th May 2010, 09:51 AM

Why are the silver Jambiya's called meccan stlye even when they're made in Jemen? Doesnt ''meccan'' refer to the city Mecca, Saoedi-Arabia?

24th May 2010, 09:51 AM	#9
Alvaro Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 8	Why are the silver Jambiya's called meccan stlye even when they're made in Jemen? Doesnt ''meccan'' refer to the city Mecca, Saoedi-Arabia? Last edited by Alvaro; 24th May 2010 at 03:00 PM. Reason: After some research I found out myself:)

23rd May 2010, 10:35 PM	#1
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	Hmmm... So who must be the man shown at 50 YMR banknote? He also has a dagger...Strange - I was sure that's Ma'adkarib (and search-engine actually thinks the same)

23rd May 2010, 10:45 PM	#2
Alvaro Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 8	in my opinion the man on the 200 YER banknote doesn't really look like a statue. Anyway, I've got another question is the Jambiya unique to Jemen, or is it used in other countries as well?

23rd May 2010, 11:05 PM	#3
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	Well, the same forms can be found in all regions of Arabic peninsula and in other countries which were influensed by Arabs. In most western sources all such daggers are called jambiya, however they have their own regional differences and in most cases they have local names (for example, Omanian traditional dagger is called khanjar, and even though it looks very similar to Yemeni, still there are certain differences which allow to bring it to a separate category).

23rd May 2010, 11:07 PM	#4
Alvaro Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 8	Thanks for the quick reply youre posts are very useful to me

23rd May 2010, 11:11 PM	#5
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	Always welcome, and I also suggest you to use search-engine of this forum to find some interesting topics about jambiya. There are a lot of specialists here whose knowledge on the subject are much wider, than mine are And I'd also show one of Hizam, as we spoke about these belts...

24th May 2010, 06:03 AM	#7
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	Hi Stu, I maybe mistaken, but I think your third Omani khanjar is actually more typical for Saudi Arabia That's a picture from flickr.com taken by a french photographer Eric Lafforgue Also as I noticed those khanjars worn in Saudi usually have more curved scabbard than Omani ones, and mainly they are placed straight vertical, not with a slope to the left like Omanis...