Yemeni/Omani Jambiya differences

kahnjar1 · 22nd January 2011, 05:53 AM

From my experience and from various books on the subject, the main telling difference between Omani and other Jambiya is the prolific use of scroll engraving rather than the more complicated and often diamond shaped embellishments of Yemeni and other "Peninsula" types. Identification must also be placed at the steps of those who have written books on the subject. As to accuracy of these authors, one can hope that their sources were from the Arabian Peninsula itself. One book which I do have faith in, and from which I have sourced ACCURATE information, is the catalogue of an exhibition held at the King Faisal Centre in Riyhad, and published as Weapons of the Islamic World-Swords and Armour.
One other way to identify Omani origin is the style of belt buckle (if it still is attached to the belt). A typical Omani buckle is shown on the second and third items below. These buckles originate from Rostaq in the Omani interior.
Attached are pics of confirmed Omani examples and also other Peninsula Types.

kahnjar1 · 22nd January 2011, 06:07 AM

....and some similar but NOT Omani.
The first one comes from Eastern Saudi Arabia along the Omani border so bears some characteristics of the Omani type, but has distinctly Yemeni type decoration style. The rest are from South-Western Saudi near Yemen so have similarities of that style.

Battara · 22nd January 2011, 05:56 PM

Don't know about being an expert, but thank you for the vote of confidence.

Others will know more than I.

The hilt looks silver but the scabbard may be white metal or brass. Take it to a jeweler who should have the chemicals to test the metal.

celtan · 23rd January 2011, 12:54 AM

I have been studying this subject mostly thanks to current posts made by Battara and Kahnjar. But, I must also thank past contributors such a Michael Blalock, Lew and Steve. Whenever I search Jambias, most of the good hits take me back to our very own forum!

From what I have read, my jambiya is probably made of german silver. The pommel type is known as Meccan, representing the Black Stone, the blade is "watered"(whatever that means), and it may have been made in Yemen's Hadramout Wadi ,or in Saudi Asir. The Omani provenance is unlikely due to the absence of their characteristic scabbard's ring belt holder. The scabbard chape is small, unlike the thum characteristic of Jeda/Mecca.

I tried to clean the scabbard's greenish blue deposits with a toothbrush an detergent, to no avail. I'm worried that anything else may affect the leather. Suggestions?

BTW, what is the proper spelling: Jambiya, Jambiah, Jambiyah, Jambia? Kukri/Kuhkri/Kuhkuri, and Kahnjar, Kanjar/ Khanjar ..?

Best

Manuel

Dom · 23rd January 2011, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

what is the proper spelling: Jambiya, Jambiah, Jambiyah, Jambia? Kukri/Kuhkri/Kuhkuri, and Kahnjar, Kanjar/ Khanjar ..?

no fixed spelling as far as those words are writing with an other alphabet

just a convention according with countries, for instance
in France we 'll not used the same spelling than in UK i.e.
- Jeddah (city) for English
- Djeddah (city) for French

now to clarify for you
- Jambiya
- Khanjar ... "kh" equal a son of "krrr"

on the pic, you have
- a Jambiya from Hadramout Yemen
- a khanjar from Oman

à +

Dom

celtan · 23rd January 2011, 02:27 AM

Thank you very much, Dom. Yet, now I'm more confused!

Pardon my blatant ignorance.

My scabbard is 135 degs. bent. It doesn't then follow either Omani, Saudi, Emirati or Yemeni customs!

You have four blades on your picture, two lying and two standing. The one standing on the left has a 90 deg angle on the scabbard, it is then a ...Saudi, Emirati, or Omani? The one standing on the right has a 180 deg angle with a very high thum, making it Yemenite? I understand this high thum is characteristic of the gusbi jambiyas from Yemen's Hadramout Wadi?

The horizontal one on the left is, a persian Kahnjar? The right, an ottoman kard perhaps?

So, all in all, what do you make of mine. Yemeni?

Best regards.

Manuel

Dom · 23rd January 2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

You have four blades on your picture, two lying and two standing. The one standing on the left has a 90 deg angle on the scabbard, it is then a ...Saudi, Emirati, or Omani?

Omani bought in Sharjah UAE some 30 years ago ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

The one standing on the right has a 180 deg angle with a very high thum, making it Yemenite? I understand this high thum is characteristic of the gusbi jambiyas from Yemen's Hadramout Wadi?

yes, you 'r correct

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

The horizontal one on the left is, a persian Kahnjar? The right, an ottoman kard perhaps?

the first one, not exactly,
- Syrian/Iraqi (Kurdish) dagger (Baghdadi) with johar blade http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8051
- Ottoman kard with johar blade http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=kard

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

So, all in all, what do you make of mine. Yemeni?

yes, a "Zabidi" dagger from Hadramout, very nice

à +

Dom

kahnjar1 · 23rd January 2011, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

I have been studying this subject mostly thanks to current posts made by Battara and Kahnjar. But, I must also thank past contributors such a Michael Blalock, Lew and Steve. Whenever I search Jambias, most of the good hits take me back to our very own forum!

From what I have read, my jambiya is probably made of german silver. The pommel type is known as Meccan, representing the Black Stone, the blade is "watered"(whatever that means), and it may have been made in Yemen's Hadramout Wadi ,or in Saudi Asir. The Omani provenance is unlikely due to the absence of their characteristic scabbard's ring belt holder. The scabbard chape is small, unlike the thum characteristic of Jeda/Mecca.

I tried to clean the scabbard's greenish blue deposits with a toothbrush an detergent, to no avail. I'm worried that anything else may affect the leather. Suggestions?

BTW, what is the proper spelling: Jambiya, Jambiah, Jambiyah, Jambia? Kukri/Kuhkri/Kuhkuri, and Kahnjar, Kanjar/ Khanjar ..?

Best

Manuel

Your Jambiya is not a Meccan style hilt, but is variously described as from Jizan or Hadhramaut areas. The catalogue from the King Faisal Exhibition describes this type as ZABIDI and from the Hadramaut (which is the Southern /Southeastern area of Yemen which borders to Oman). A pic of 2 Meccan style Jambiya is herewith. You will note that the tips of the hilt are NOT pointed.
Don't get too wrapped up in the various spellings as they all mean the same thing and probably "Jambiya" is much like the term "Wahabite" used by collectors to describe certain styles. The term "Khanjar" is used in Oman to describe their daggers, rather than "Jambiya".
Hopefully STEVE will come in on this post, as he has huge knowledge of (particulaly) Yemeni daggers.
Regards Stu

celtan · 23rd January 2011, 03:22 AM

Hi Kahnjar,

Thanks for the extra info. I thought that the pommel's promontories depicted the Kaaba Mosque, and that made the style Meccan. Although the other example I saw had a different scabbard's tip.

Do you know anything about the Yemeni Hodeida style jambia from the Tihama plains..?

Best regards

BTW, any idea where I can get a correct chape for the broken scabbard 's tip on my persian kahnjar?

M

kahnjar1 · 23rd January 2011, 05:41 AM

Hi Manuel, Not quite sure what you define as "Tihama" but the attached is reputed to be from that area, and described by Elgood as such, though the script on the hilt suggests that it was made in Jeddah in 1958.
My direct email is sabiki@clear.net.nz so you might like to send me a pic of the item you are missing the piece of.
Stu

A.alnakkas · 23rd January 2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

BTW, what is the proper spelling: Jambiya, Jambiah, Jambiyah, Jambia? Kukri/Kuhkri/Kuhkuri, and Kahnjar, Kanjar/ Khanjar ..?

Best

Manuel

Hello all,

just want to add that the correct spelling for these type of daggers is Janbiya or Jannabiyah depending on region. Khanjar is also used though you'd probably understand the "kh" if you hear an arab say it.

i think the reason why collectors call Janbiya's ; Jambiya is probably due to tourists not hearing the pronunciation correctly. the origin of the word is jnb which means; side. there is no word jmb in arabic that i know of.

beautiful collection of pictures folks, i really like the gusbi that Dom has

A.Alnakkas

Dom · 23rd January 2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

i really like the gusbi that Dom has

choukrane, fod'dol

à +

Dom

A.alnakkas · 23rd January 2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

choukrane, fod'dol

à +

Dom

Ahlan wa sahlan

Dom · 23rd January 2011, 01:21 AM

Hi
on my background, synthetically I classify as follow the daggers with short and curving blade
- dagger with 90° angle scabbard as from Saudi or Emirati, or Omani
- dagger with 180° angle scabbard as from Yemenite

- dagger Saudi 7 rings on scabbard
- dagger Emirati and Omani 4 rings on scabbard
- dagger Yemenite, no rings

- all have the same type of blade (more or less)
double edge with a thick central rib

it's not a truth "formal"

according with the bearer's residence
if ... more or less near of borders,
the shape could be significantly different,

what's on above is valid as general rule
at my point of view

à +

Dom

22nd January 2011, 05:53 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	Some Clarity?? From my experience and from various books on the subject, the main telling difference between Omani and other Jambiya is the prolific use of scroll engraving rather than the more complicated and often diamond shaped embellishments of Yemeni and other "Peninsula" types. Identification must also be placed at the steps of those who have written books on the subject. As to accuracy of these authors, one can hope that their sources were from the Arabian Peninsula itself. One book which I do have faith in, and from which I have sourced ACCURATE information, is the catalogue of an exhibition held at the King Faisal Centre in Riyhad, and published as Weapons of the Islamic World-Swords and Armour. One other way to identify Omani origin is the style of belt buckle (if it still is attached to the belt). A typical Omani buckle is shown on the second and third items below. These buckles originate from Rostaq in the Omani interior. Attached are pics of confirmed Omani examples and also other Peninsula Types. Attached Images Last edited by kahnjar1; 22nd January 2011 at 06:22 AM.

22nd January 2011, 06:07 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	....and some similar but NOT Omani. The first one comes from Eastern Saudi Arabia along the Omani border so bears some characteristics of the Omani type, but has distinctly Yemeni type decoration style. The rest are from South-Western Saudi near Yemen so have similarities of that style. Attached Images

22nd January 2011, 05:56 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Don't know about being an expert, but thank you for the vote of confidence. Others will know more than I. The hilt looks silver but the scabbard may be white metal or brass. Take it to a jeweler who should have the chemicals to test the metal. Last edited by Battara; 22nd January 2011 at 11:05 PM.

23rd January 2011, 02:27 AM	#6
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Thank you very much, Dom. Yet, now I'm more confused! Pardon my blatant ignorance. My scabbard is 135 degs. bent. It doesn't then follow either Omani, Saudi, Emirati or Yemeni customs! You have four blades on your picture, two lying and two standing. The one standing on the left has a 90 deg angle on the scabbard, it is then a ...Saudi, Emirati, or Omani? The one standing on the right has a 180 deg angle with a very high thum, making it Yemenite? I understand this high thum is characteristic of the gusbi jambiyas from Yemen's Hadramout Wadi? The horizontal one on the left is, a persian Kahnjar? The right, an ottoman kard perhaps? So, all in all, what do you make of mine. Yemeni? Best regards. Manuel Last edited by celtan; 23rd January 2011 at 03:15 AM.

23rd January 2011, 05:41 AM	#10
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	Hi Manuel, Not quite sure what you define as "Tihama" but the attached is reputed to be from that area, and described by Elgood as such, though the script on the hilt suggests that it was made in Jeddah in 1958. My direct email is sabiki@clear.net.nz so you might like to send me a pic of the item you are missing the piece of. Stu Attached Images

23rd January 2011, 12:54 AM	#4
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	I have been studying this subject mostly thanks to current posts made by Battara and Kahnjar. But, I must also thank past contributors such a Michael Blalock, Lew and Steve. Whenever I search Jambias, most of the good hits take me back to our very own forum! From what I have read, my jambiya is probably made of german silver. The pommel type is known as Meccan, representing the Black Stone, the blade is "watered"(whatever that means), and it may have been made in Yemen's Hadramout Wadi ,or in Saudi Asir. The Omani provenance is unlikely due to the absence of their characteristic scabbard's ring belt holder. The scabbard chape is small, unlike the thum characteristic of Jeda/Mecca. I tried to clean the scabbard's greenish blue deposits with a toothbrush an detergent, to no avail. I'm worried that anything else may affect the leather. Suggestions? BTW, what is the proper spelling: Jambiya, Jambiah, Jambiyah, Jambia? Kukri/Kuhkri/Kuhkuri, and Kahnjar, Kanjar/ Khanjar ..? Best Manuel

23rd January 2011, 03:22 AM	#9
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Hi Kahnjar, Thanks for the extra info. I thought that the pommel's promontories depicted the Kaaba Mosque, and that made the style Meccan. Although the other example I saw had a different scabbard's tip. Do you know anything about the Yemeni Hodeida style jambia from the Tihama plains..? Best regards BTW, any idea where I can get a correct chape for the broken scabbard 's tip on my persian kahnjar? M

23rd January 2011, 01:21 AM	#14
Dom Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Paris (FR*) Cairo (EG) Posts: 1,142	Hi on my background, synthetically I classify as follow the daggers with short and curving blade - dagger with 90° angle scabbard as from Saudi or Emirati, or Omani - dagger with 180° angle scabbard as from Yemenite - dagger Saudi 7 rings on scabbard - dagger Emirati and Omani 4 rings on scabbard - dagger Yemenite, no rings - all have the same type of blade (more or less) double edge with a thick central rib it's not a truth "formal" according with the bearer's residence if ... more or less near of borders, the shape could be significantly different, what's on above is valid as general rule at my point of view à + Dom