The Yemeni Jambiya

Michael Blalock · 13th August 2005, 03:56 PM

I meant to post these with the previous reply.

Battara · 14th August 2005, 05:01 AM

Thank you for your posting of the articles. I love Yemen jambiyas, but have yet to own one that has true silver beyond 50%. Thus I have about given up on the Yemen jambiya, especially the purer silver with a "T" top pommel (which I enjoy).

Most I have seen do not have the good quality silver work for which I look and the blades are cheap. I guess I'll have to pay "millions" for the type I search.

Michael Blalock · 14th August 2005, 01:35 PM

Yemen, in the 1960's when the country first opened up to Westerners, was a very impoverished society with no concept of tourism. The average pay for a laborer or servant working for the Americans was less than 25 cents a day of which 10 cents had to be used to purchase Qat. In 1962 the world price of silver was over $1.00/OZ, a fortune to the majority of Yemenis. Most of the "silver" worn by Yemenis, either Jambiyas or jewelry was typically German Silver.
In the years I lived in Yemen I never saw anyone wearing a jambiya with a silver grip. I did collect one very old white metal jambiya with a silver T-top pommel but it was made of German Silver.
The real quality of the jambiya was based upon the color and translucency of the Rhino horn grip, the blade and the quality of coins in the grip, the best coins being true gold Venitian ducats or Indian copies. The scabbards of the best sheiks jambiyas were usually brass or gold plated filligree metal. The majority of Yemenis decorated the sheaths of their jambiyas with bright plastic, cloth and rivets, similar to the gaudy decoration on the cartridge belts everyone wore due to the civil war.
While there was real silver used on the finials and trim, I am of the opinion that the vast majority of the high grade silver (museum quality) jambiyas, particularly those with silver grips, as well as the tons of very expensive (museum quality) Yemeni jewelry available on ebay and the other internet sources is of very recent manufacture and made for the western market. Hence, the use of silver which is now relatively cheap, to justify the high prices.
Frankly, if you have a german silver jambiya or bracelet, I think it is more likely to be antique than a high grade silver piece which until recent times would have been melted down for its cash value.

Battara · 15th August 2005, 09:34 PM

W W! I had no idea. Thank you so much for clearing up what was a mystery to me. I guess it is like Moro pieces, everyone says that the mounts are silver, until I test them and find German silver. Explains a lot. I am now enlightened.

Michael Blalock · 20th August 2005, 01:14 AM

Here's a Yemeni with what I presume a Sibiki might be.

Chrystal Dawn · 6th May 2013, 04:45 PM

I have been reading this thread with great interest and in fact, it is the first that has given me any information at all.. so thank you!

My Father just recently acquired a Jambiya, although in doing some research on it for him, I believe it is a Thuma. 1930's or somewhere in there. It does not have the hard J shape, but on the other hand, the scabbard is not made entirely of silver. It looks to be a leather backing of some sort.

It came with the brocade belt and two prayer amulets attached to it.. I am researching those currently..

As I stated, we have just recently came into this, so the markings on the amulets I have just read about and will check them when I again have access to this.

My question though is on the Thuma. Are there certain styles for certain tribal areas? How do you tell what kind of horn the handle is made from. Is it all in the patina? How do you tell what kind of silver is used without destroying the item?

Any further information would be greatly appreciated..

It is a beautiful piece. We just want to know what we have.

Thank you!

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 7th May 2013, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrystal Dawn

I have been reading this thread with great interest and in fact, it is the first that has given me any information at all.. so thank you!

My Father just recently acquired a Jambiya, although in doing some research on it for him, I believe it is a Thuma. 1930's or somewhere in there. It does not have the hard J shape, but on the other hand, the scabbard is not made entirely of silver. It looks to be a leather backing of some sort.

It came with the brocade belt and two prayer amulets attached to it.. I am researching those currently..

As I stated, we have just recently came into this, so the markings on the amulets I have just read about and will check them when I again have access to this.

My question though is on the Thuma. Are there certain styles for certain tribal areas? How do you tell what kind of horn the handle is made from. Is it all in the patina? How do you tell what kind of silver is used without destroying the item?

Any further information would be greatly appreciated..

It is a beautiful piece. We just want to know what we have.

Thank you!

Salaams Chrystal Dawn, Welcome to the Forum. Indeed you have chosen from library an expert piece of writing by Michael Blalock. Can you post a picture please so that we can see the Thuma and belt? There is a wealth of information if you use the Search function above. There are great debates on what the hilts are made from and of course the important thing is the blade. In the Yemen history has provided us with a peculiar mixture of craftsman styles through the very ornate and highly expert Jewish silver and goldsmiths now dwindling in numbers and since 1948 many have left. It is therefor an interesting corner of modern history steeped in political strife, war and a strange charm.. almost biblical ... all of its own. I am sure you will have great fun searching out what you need, meanwhile, please try to post some pictures.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

kahnjar1 · 3rd July 2014, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

Here's a Yemeni with what I presume a Sibiki might be.

Hi Michael,
Sabiki is one of the names given to the Dharia type dagger. See here http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17574. for pics and descriptions.
Stu

DaveA · 3rd July 2014, 01:52 AM

Hello!

I have corresponded with Marie-Christine Heinze who has investigated Yemeni Jambiya for her doctoral thesis. She provided me with the following two reports.

The German Jambiya Expert

The Yemeni janbiya and its various parts

I have also found this document by Esther van Pragg to be very interesting and useful (skip to page 17):

Introduction to the world of old silver jewellery from the Land of the Queen of Sheba

Please let me know if you have trouble accessing the documents!

Best Regards,

Dave A.

13th August 2005, 03:56 PM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Jambiyas I meant to post these with the previous reply. Attached Images

20th August 2005, 01:14 AM	#5
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Here's a Yemeni with what I presume a Sibiki might be. Attached Images

3rd July 2014, 01:52 AM	#9
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 416	More Yemeni Jambia resources Hello! I have corresponded with Marie-Christine Heinze who has investigated Yemeni Jambiya for her doctoral thesis. She provided me with the following two reports. The German Jambiya Expert The Yemeni janbiya and its various parts I have also found this document by Esther van Pragg to be very interesting and useful (skip to page 17): Introduction to the world of old silver jewellery from the Land of the Queen of Sheba Please let me know if you have trouble accessing the documents! Best Regards, Dave A.

14th August 2005, 05:01 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Thank you for your posting of the articles. I love Yemen jambiyas, but have yet to own one that has true silver beyond 50%. Thus I have about given up on the Yemen jambiya, especially the purer silver with a "T" top pommel (which I enjoy). Most I have seen do not have the good quality silver work for which I look and the blades are cheap. I guess I'll have to pay "millions" for the type I search.

14th August 2005, 01:35 PM	#3
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Yemen, in the 1960's when the country first opened up to Westerners, was a very impoverished society with no concept of tourism. The average pay for a laborer or servant working for the Americans was less than 25 cents a day of which 10 cents had to be used to purchase Qat. In 1962 the world price of silver was over $1.00/OZ, a fortune to the majority of Yemenis. Most of the "silver" worn by Yemenis, either Jambiyas or jewelry was typically German Silver. In the years I lived in Yemen I never saw anyone wearing a jambiya with a silver grip. I did collect one very old white metal jambiya with a silver T-top pommel but it was made of German Silver. The real quality of the jambiya was based upon the color and translucency of the Rhino horn grip, the blade and the quality of coins in the grip, the best coins being true gold Venitian ducats or Indian copies. The scabbards of the best sheiks jambiyas were usually brass or gold plated filligree metal. The majority of Yemenis decorated the sheaths of their jambiyas with bright plastic, cloth and rivets, similar to the gaudy decoration on the cartridge belts everyone wore due to the civil war. While there was real silver used on the finials and trim, I am of the opinion that the vast majority of the high grade silver (museum quality) jambiyas, particularly those with silver grips, as well as the tons of very expensive (museum quality) Yemeni jewelry available on ebay and the other internet sources is of very recent manufacture and made for the western market. Hence, the use of silver which is now relatively cheap, to justify the high prices. Frankly, if you have a german silver jambiya or bracelet, I think it is more likely to be antique than a high grade silver piece which until recent times would have been melted down for its cash value.

15th August 2005, 09:34 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	W W! I had no idea. Thank you so much for clearing up what was a mystery to me. I guess it is like Moro pieces, everyone says that the mounts are silver, until I test them and find German silver. Explains a lot. I am now enlightened.

6th May 2013, 04:45 PM	#6
Chrystal Dawn Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 1	I have been reading this thread with great interest and in fact, it is the first that has given me any information at all.. so thank you! My Father just recently acquired a Jambiya, although in doing some research on it for him, I believe it is a Thuma. 1930's or somewhere in there. It does not have the hard J shape, but on the other hand, the scabbard is not made entirely of silver. It looks to be a leather backing of some sort. It came with the brocade belt and two prayer amulets attached to it.. I am researching those currently.. As I stated, we have just recently came into this, so the markings on the amulets I have just read about and will check them when I again have access to this. My question though is on the Thuma. Are there certain styles for certain tribal areas? How do you tell what kind of horn the handle is made from. Is it all in the patina? How do you tell what kind of silver is used without destroying the item? Any further information would be greatly appreciated.. It is a beautiful piece. We just want to know what we have. Thank you!