THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MOROCCAN AND A ZANZIBARI NIMCHA.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 30th July 2017, 02:32 AM

Placing this weapon for library from The JF Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum;

Accession Number: MO 63.1513 Collection:
Gifts from Heads of State
Title: Nimcha Sword and Sheath Maker: Maker unknown Date(s) of Materials: 19th century Place Made: Morocco Medium: Silver, wood, steel Dimensions: 42" Description: Sword with hilt and silver knuckle guard, which is formed by a long turned down quillon. The grip is composed of fluted wood. The sheath is covered with chased silver plating. The steel blade is slightly curved. Gifter: Moulay Hamid Alaoui, Pacha of Kenitra, Morocco Copyright Status: Donated to the United States Digital Identifier: JFKSG-MO-1963-1513 Subject(s):
Gifts
Heads of state

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 30th July 2017, 02:52 AM

Tipu Sultan The Lion of Mysore had among his many weapons in his private armoury this Moroccan Nimcha with probably a blade from the Caucasus according to the report in French at http://www.tessier-sarrou.com/html/f...rdre=&aff=5&r=

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 30th July 2017, 03:18 AM

An item not always noted in Moroccan swords is the strap or Baldric on which it hangs off the shoulder seen here and at #61; This was followed by Muslim soldiers because their leader, The Prophet, wore his sword in the same fashion.

See fig 1 at https://books.google.com.om/books?id...aldric&f=false

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 4th August 2017, 10:32 AM

During the early Islamic years, the Arabs sheathed their weapons in baldrics. The use of sword and baldric was consciously abandoned by the Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil (847-861) in favor of the saber and belt. But the use of sword and baldric seems to have retained a ceremonial and religious significance. For example, the Zangid ruler Nur ad-Din (1146-74) was anxious to demonstrate that he was a pious traditionalist, searching out the old methods preferred by the Prophet. Consequently, among his reforms he re-adopted the custom of wearing a sword suspended from a baldric. His successor Salah ad-Din (1138-1193), known in the west as Saladin, did the same and it is noteworthy that he was buried with his sword, he took it with him to Paradise.

The Baldric in the high mount was used by the Prophet and that was why the invaders from the Moroccan Berber side used it in the same way.
So I was pondering the question of Zanzibari and Moroccan Nimchas.. and in particular the key element of the knuckle-guard which you will recall is completely different with a broad right angle at the base of the Moroccan and a bulbous rounded knuckle-guard bend at the base in the Zanzibar example.

In the Moroccan. See the artwork below. The requirement was for a shoulder strap Baldric mounting so that when riding into battle the sword was firmly held up on the left rib cage area under the left arm region...and flat against the body formed by the horsehead broad grip and the big right angled knuckleguard and quillons so the weapon was firm and safe... In this position the rider could operate his long barrel gun and gallop hard onwards... The sword til needed was safe against his body.
When dismounted, See Artwork below, he could retain that carry or opt for the long drag position placing the hilt about between his hip and knee where his draw hand could reach.. Thus they used the Baldric in its two styles.
Insofar as the Pommel top; a decorated or simple button was used or even a decorative geometric fish.

In the Zanzibari Not the same ...They used the weapon from a sash belt or basic waist belt...They didn't ride horses into battle. No need for the right angle knuckle-guard base moreover a need for a smooth uncluttered draw...The rounded knuckle guard bend seems logical.
Insofar as the Pommel top button the pattern shape of the Turtle was used in the Zanzibari type but only there.

In development from one region to another it is suggested that the older history comes from the Moroccan sphere so that the weapon must have stepped from North Africa across the Sahara by camel train or by ship around the Cape or down the Red Sea and to Zanzibar. Other forms are witnessed in the Red Sea region and it is unclear if they had bounced off Zanzibar or entered these places direct from North Africa.... probably the former. Either way the weapon diffused from Morocco to Zanzibar.

Blade and Scabbard development appears to be very distinctly different with beautiful Magrebi cloisonne and gold and silver inscribed Quranic verses lavishly adorning the North African version whilst Red Sea / Yemeni or Indian plain blades seem to populate Zanzibari Nimcha. In one style of Omani Zanzibari ornate hand carved Ivory hilts beautifully plated with golden decor may be a VIP weapon or Court Sword; See Below.

Gonzalo G · 5th August 2017, 07:08 AM

It is a pity that the historical evidence does not support this complicated hypothesis (better call it assumption). Swords with cuphilts, laces, circular knuckleguards, protective rings, etc., were carried by a baldric on horse, without problem. See the way in wich the Spaniards carried their rapiers: they used baldrics, and the swords can be accomodated by the lenght of the baldric. I think that the form of the knuckleguard of the Moroccan Nimcha was a matter of fashion, though I admit that the rounded knuckleguard allows for a more easy grasp.

kronckew · 5th August 2017, 09:29 AM

the french and other countries were also fond of carrying them on baldrics. rapiers were not the light fencing foils or epees you see in old films, they were as heavy as many other sword types. a baldric puts the weight more comfortably on the shoulder. both belt and baldric types were used on horse, with the rapiers and wider bladed versions favoured by the military of the day.

i've always found it odd that many rapier carrying arrangements had a strap running diagonally from the front of the sword frog to a mount on the other side of the belt buckle across your crotch. an affectation not found on arabian sword hangers, or later european ones for that matter. 'the town guard' and 'graf pappenheim' included for illustration.

fernando · 5th August 2017, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

... i've always found it odd that many rapier carrying arrangements had a strap running diagonally from the front of the sword frog to a mount on the other side of the belt buckle across your crotch...

Wasn't that to prevent your carrier from falling back, so that when you seat it conflicts with your back section ... or your horse croup ?

.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 6th August 2017, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzalo G

It is a pity that the historical evidence does not support this complicated hypothesis (better call it assumption). Swords with cuphilts, laces, circular knuckleguards, protective rings, etc., were carried by a baldric on horse, without problem. See the way in wich the Spaniards carried their rapiers: they used baldrics, and the swords can be accomodated by the lenght of the baldric. I think that the form of the knuckleguard of the Moroccan Nimcha was a matter of fashion, though I admit that the rounded knuckleguard allows for a more easy grasp.

Although the clear historical evidence has somehow escaped your attention it is well documented that the Sword of the Prophet was carried in this manner. I do not speak of cuphilts in this discussion... but of the Moroccan Nimcha (an Islamic creation)with a distinct lineage via the Berber situation of Zinette back through the centuries to the 7th.

I didn't mention anything about the rounded Zanzibari knuckle-guard being an easier grasp in fact I note the difference since the broad neck strap seen at #75 above pulls the Moroccan sword higher so that it lodges firmly at the left rib-cage area held more steady by the squared off knuckleguard base, broad flat horse-head pommel, and quilons.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 6th August 2017, 08:38 AM

Why is it that the Moroccan variant has a peened stud often ornately decorated whilst the Zanzibar style usually shows a Turtle shaped peened stud format; entirely different?

If the sword evolved from the Moroccan (and it could hardly have come from somewhere else) without a peened stud that also means it probably arrived with no blade, no scabbard and no guards... Did it arrive as a box full/shipload of horsehead hilts only?

Blade manufacture was in place of course in Indian theatres as well as across Africa with European trade blades and in Yemen at Hadramaut etc The Omani Zanzibari craftsmen were perfectly placed and equiped to turn out scabbards and refit imported blades and home grown quilons probably from a Moroccan example but altering the knuckleguard as noted earlier...

As and when the Zanzibari Nimcha bounced into neighboring countries the hilt changed to reflect local customs ... As noted previously the ornate Omani Ivory Hilted gold adorned hilt fulfilled the requirement for a Court/VIP/ Sea Merchants sword.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

30th July 2017, 02:32 AM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Placing this weapon for library from The JF Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum; Accession Number: MO 63.1513 Collection: Gifts from Heads of State Title: Nimcha Sword and Sheath Maker: Maker unknown Date(s) of Materials: 19th century Place Made: Morocco Medium: Silver, wood, steel Dimensions: 42" Description: Sword with hilt and silver knuckle guard, which is formed by a long turned down quillon. The grip is composed of fluted wood. The sheath is covered with chased silver plating. The steel blade is slightly curved. Gifter: Moulay Hamid Alaoui, Pacha of Kenitra, Morocco Copyright Status: Donated to the United States Digital Identifier: JFKSG-MO-1963-1513 Subject(s): Gifts Heads of state Attached Images

30th July 2017, 02:52 AM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Tipu Sultan The Lion of Mysore had among his many weapons in his private armoury this Moroccan Nimcha with probably a blade from the Caucasus according to the report in French at http://www.tessier-sarrou.com/html/f...rdre=&aff=5&r= Attached Images

30th July 2017, 03:18 AM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	An item not always noted in Moroccan swords is the strap or Baldric on which it hangs off the shoulder seen here and at #61; This was followed by Muslim soldiers because their leader, The Prophet, wore his sword in the same fashion. See fig 1 at https://books.google.com.om/books?id...aldric&f=false Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 30th July 2017 at 03:45 AM.

4th August 2017, 10:32 AM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The Baldric. During the early Islamic years, the Arabs sheathed their weapons in baldrics. The use of sword and baldric was consciously abandoned by the Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil (847-861) in favor of the saber and belt. But the use of sword and baldric seems to have retained a ceremonial and religious significance. For example, the Zangid ruler Nur ad-Din (1146-74) was anxious to demonstrate that he was a pious traditionalist, searching out the old methods preferred by the Prophet. Consequently, among his reforms he re-adopted the custom of wearing a sword suspended from a baldric. His successor Salah ad-Din (1138-1193), known in the west as Saladin, did the same and it is noteworthy that he was buried with his sword, he took it with him to Paradise. The Baldric in the high mount was used by the Prophet and that was why the invaders from the Moroccan Berber side used it in the same way. So I was pondering the question of Zanzibari and Moroccan Nimchas.. and in particular the key element of the knuckle-guard which you will recall is completely different with a broad right angle at the base of the Moroccan and a bulbous rounded knuckle-guard bend at the base in the Zanzibar example. In the Moroccan. See the artwork below. The requirement was for a shoulder strap Baldric mounting so that when riding into battle the sword was firmly held up on the left rib cage area under the left arm region...and flat against the body formed by the horsehead broad grip and the big right angled knuckleguard and quillons so the weapon was firm and safe... In this position the rider could operate his long barrel gun and gallop hard onwards... The sword til needed was safe against his body. When dismounted, See Artwork below, he could retain that carry or opt for the long drag position placing the hilt about between his hip and knee where his draw hand could reach.. Thus they used the Baldric in its two styles. Insofar as the Pommel top; a decorated or simple button was used or even a decorative geometric fish. In the Zanzibari Not the same ...They used the weapon from a sash belt or basic waist belt...They didn't ride horses into battle. No need for the right angle knuckle-guard base moreover a need for a smooth uncluttered draw...The rounded knuckle guard bend seems logical. Insofar as the Pommel top button the pattern shape of the Turtle was used in the Zanzibari type but only there. In development from one region to another it is suggested that the older history comes from the Moroccan sphere so that the weapon must have stepped from North Africa across the Sahara by camel train or by ship around the Cape or down the Red Sea and to Zanzibar. Other forms are witnessed in the Red Sea region and it is unclear if they had bounced off Zanzibar or entered these places direct from North Africa.... probably the former. Either way the weapon diffused from Morocco to Zanzibar. Blade and Scabbard development appears to be very distinctly different with beautiful Magrebi cloisonne and gold and silver inscribed Quranic verses lavishly adorning the North African version whilst Red Sea / Yemeni or Indian plain blades seem to populate Zanzibari Nimcha. In one style of Omani Zanzibari ornate hand carved Ivory hilts beautifully plated with golden decor may be a VIP weapon or Court Sword; See Below. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 4th August 2017 at 12:53 PM.

5th August 2017, 07:08 AM	#5
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	It is a pity that the historical evidence does not support this complicated hypothesis (better call it assumption). Swords with cuphilts, laces, circular knuckleguards, protective rings, etc., were carried by a baldric on horse, without problem. See the way in wich the Spaniards carried their rapiers: they used baldrics, and the swords can be accomodated by the lenght of the baldric. I think that the form of the knuckleguard of the Moroccan Nimcha was a matter of fashion, though I admit that the rounded knuckleguard allows for a more easy grasp.

5th August 2017, 09:29 AM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	the french and other countries were also fond of carrying them on baldrics. rapiers were not the light fencing foils or epees you see in old films, they were as heavy as many other sword types. a baldric puts the weight more comfortably on the shoulder. both belt and baldric types were used on horse, with the rapiers and wider bladed versions favoured by the military of the day. i've always found it odd that many rapier carrying arrangements had a strap running diagonally from the front of the sword frog to a mount on the other side of the belt buckle across your crotch. an affectation not found on arabian sword hangers, or later european ones for that matter. 'the town guard' and 'graf pappenheim' included for illustration. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 5th August 2017 at 09:58 AM.

6th August 2017, 08:38 AM	#9
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Why is it that the Moroccan variant has a peened stud often ornately decorated whilst the Zanzibar style usually shows a Turtle shaped peened stud format; entirely different? If the sword evolved from the Moroccan (and it could hardly have come from somewhere else) without a peened stud that also means it probably arrived with no blade, no scabbard and no guards... Did it arrive as a box full/shipload of horsehead hilts only? Blade manufacture was in place of course in Indian theatres as well as across Africa with European trade blades and in Yemen at Hadramaut etc The Omani Zanzibari craftsmen were perfectly placed and equiped to turn out scabbards and refit imported blades and home grown quilons probably from a Moroccan example but altering the knuckleguard as noted earlier... As and when the Zanzibari Nimcha bounced into neighboring countries the hilt changed to reflect local customs ... As noted previously the ornate Omani Ivory Hilted gold adorned hilt fulfilled the requirement for a Court/VIP/ Sea Merchants sword. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.