The Yemeni Jambiya

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

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.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All,

I have just read a very interesting couple of articles on the subject at
1. https://www.academia.edu/6441820/The..._various_parts

2. http://www.penn.museum/documents/pub...-2/Cammann.pdf

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[archer]

Thank you for bring up this topic Michael. Thank you Ibrahiim, your links were of great interest to Me. Most informative was: http://www.penn.museum/documents/pu...9-2/Cammann.pdf page 28, describes the triple ribbed blades being of a different steel and perhaps, that they are an older style. I did not find anything more. We discussed this one here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=dharia
Does anyone know of additional info on blades from the Ansab area? or other examples?
Thanks, Steve