The Omani Sayf. ( The Omani Straight Dancing Sword)

[AhmedH]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams All, Note to Library.

It is extraordinary but only about a handful of antique sketches seem to exist showing Omani militia with weapons and equipment. Amongst the kit is the Dynastic straight dancing sword. Even European military Officers today carry swords on parade to do something very similar for VIPs and Royalty (there is even a special Royal Salute) Here is such a "weapon" The Omani Sayf. The Omani Dancing Sword also used at pageants (The Funoon) weddings and most importantly at tribal march pasts where the sword is raised high and buzzed in the air and even thrown high and caught by the performers. Here shown with Terrs the traditional shield, the Khanjar dagger and long gun; The Abu Futtilla (The one with the match).

Since saluting and pageantry was very much part of a soldiers daily life it is not surprising to see the item carried as part of their equipment.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaams Ibrahiim,

Thank you very much for this beautiful post containing very important information.

Another note you could add would be whether the Omani sword was used in executing certain punishment to criminals committing certain crimes, and how did these swords differ fro other war or dancing swords.

Another important thing could also be the use of the sword in diplomatic gifts: Which Omani swords were usually given as gifts; from the monarchs to their outstanding subordinates, and between the monarchs themselves (Omani and foreigner)?

Frankly, I find you an encyclopedia; not just in Omani swords, but also in swords of nations that have shores on the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

Best regards,
Ahmed Helal Hussein

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by AhmedH

Salaams Ibrahiim,

Thank you very much for this beautiful post containing very important information.

Another note you could add would be whether the Omani sword was used in executing certain punishment to criminals committing certain crimes, and how did these swords differ fro other war or dancing swords.

Another important thing could also be the use of the sword in diplomatic gifts: Which Omani swords were usually given as gifts; from the monarchs to their outstanding subordinates, and between the monarchs themselves (Omani and foreigner)?

Frankly, I find you an encyclopedia; not just in Omani swords, but also in swords of nations that have shores on the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

Best regards,
Ahmed Helal Hussein

Salaams Ahmed; Thank you for your post and kind words but you are the maestro on Islamic Swords ...
The Dancing Sword is certainly the gift item..I think I have an example of that being presented at #1... There is another example at #29 on The Omani Shamshiirs http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...8&page=1&pp=30 of an Omani Shamshiir going to the famous Stanley of Livingstone fame... and another of French provenance being presented on the same thread at #31

The Omani Dancing Sword, howver, is often the gift item at many differing levels in Oman these days...(since so many presentations are required there is a steady stream of new ones being made for that market..gilded, framed etc etc) and of course the Khanjar is a gift item as well... and again at all levels.

Execution swords...In the early 20s in Muscat they used a caged Lion to "recycle" second offenders for very serious crime. The lion lived in a cage inside the Fort Jelali prison walls and prisoners were chained to the outside for first offences ...hopefully the threat of being chained to the inside would deter them from recommitting the crime...but, apparently, not always ...

I have no evidence of a punishment sword but there must have been some ... perhaps the big heavy backbladed curved Kattara was used... I will find out.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[AhmedH]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Ahmed; Thank you for your post and kind words but you are the maestro on Islamic Swords ...
The Dancing Sword is certainly the gift item..I think I have an example of that being presented at #1... There is another example at #29 on The Omani Shamshiirs http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...8&page=1&pp=30 of an Omani Shamshiir going to the famous Stanley of Livingstone fame... and another of French provenance being presented on the same thread at #31

The Omani Dancing Sword, howver, is often the gift item at many differing levels in Oman these days...(since so many presentations are required there is a steady stream of new ones being made for that market..gilded, framed etc etc) and of course the Khanjar is a gift item as well... and again at all levels.

Execution swords...In the early 20s in Muscat they used a caged Lion to "recycle" second offenders for very serious crime. The lion lived in a cage inside the Fort Jelali prison walls and prisoners were chained to the outside for first offences ...hopefully the threat of being chained to the inside would deter them from recommitting the crime...but, apparently, not always ...

I have no evidence of a punishment sword but there must have been some ... perhaps the big heavy backbladed curved Kattara was used... I will find out.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaams Ibrahiim,

Thanks a trillion for your kind words!

So, the "Sayf Yamaani" was also used in diplomatic gifts? I mean the "war sword".

As for executions and other dismembering punishments (that could've involved the use of the sword), one needs to know the opinion of the Ibaadhi scholars regarding certain crimes and punishments. Also, whether these punishments were ever carried out, or were compensated by indemnities, jailing, flogging, or other forms of execution; like hanging. The date may start from 751 CE till 200 years ago. You see, there were many events and incidents one could read about, like: The punishment of high treason, kidnapping, desertion, etc. Also executing prisoners of war was known at that time. Yes, a single-edged sword; whether straight or curved, may have been the type of sword used in such occasions.

Please do not think I'm pushy or anything. I was just trying to broaden the spectrum of this very important topic.

Also, please forgive my bias regarding the Sayf Yamani at the expense of the Omani dancing sword (this is clear in my obvious interest); for the fact is that I'm addicted to the Sayf Yamani;-)

Best regards,
Ahmed Helal Hussein

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by AhmedH

Salaams Ibrahiim,

Thanks a trillion for your kind words!

So, the "Sayf Yamaani" was also used in diplomatic gifts? I mean the "war sword".

As for executions and other dismembering punishments (that could've involved the use of the sword), one needs to know the opinion of the Ibaadhi scholars regarding certain crimes and punishments. Also, whether these punishments were ever carried out, or were compensated by indemnities, jailing, flogging, or other forms of execution; like hanging. The date may start from 751 CE till 200 years ago. You see, there were many events and incidents one could read about, like: The punishment of high treason, kidnapping, desertion, etc. Also executing prisoners of war was known at that time. Yes, a single-edged sword; whether straight or curved, may have been the type of sword used in such occasions.

Please do not think I'm pushy or anything. I was just trying to broaden the spectrum of this..very important topic.

Also, please forgive my bias regarding the Sayf Yamani at the expense of the Omani dancing sword (this is clear in my obvious interest); for the fact is that I'm addicted to the Sayf Yamani;-)

Best regards,
Ahmed Helal Hussein

Salaams Ahmed ~I am sure that in its day the Omani Battle Sword was much admired and that it could well have been a gift item at high levels ...and thus presented although rarely so. It was so honoured by the Omanis that they gave it the Royal Hilt treatment...in about the mid 1800s.

I can well imagine how interested you are in this weapon and since it carries the local name of Sayf Yamaani the apparent clue to where it could have been made.

When I get a chance I will view the execution weapons if there any existing in the museums etc.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[spiral]

Good day Ibrahiim,!

Are the curved battle Omani swords used for dancing as well?

Spiral

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by spiral

Good day Ibrahiim,!

Are the curved battle Omani swords used for dancing as well?

Spiral

Salaams spiral.. I am always very careful to distinguish what is meant by battle sword... The Curved European bladed Omani Kattara is both a badge of Office.. Slave Merchant Sword and Sea Captains sword for punishment and protection...and given the odd skirmish no doubt highly effective...I hesitate in using the term Battle Sword... Massed groups of men charging at each other etc etc It was never for that; The Omani Battle Sword or "Sayf Yamaani" is the true owner of that tittle. Used together with the Terrs Shield.

Your question .. The answer is yes I have pictures of this being done ... In the absence of a proper dancing sword a number of items may be used ~ camel stick, rifle, or other swords...In similar fashion in the mimic fight in the Funoon where there is no shield (Terrs...remember that the Terrs was awarded to be used with the new dancing sword at the start of the current dynasty in about 1744 but was the original "The Omani Battle Sword" partner) opponents may use a sandal in the left hand instead... However on swords in the mimic fight~ not a Kattara curved weapon ...always the flexible straight dancing sayf.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[spiral]

Thank you! Ibrahiim

spiral