THE FLAMBOUYANT OMANI SAYF

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

THE TUGHRA OF SAIID THE GREAT.

These SAYF are the swords that SAIID THE GREAT had produced to herald the reign of his own empire and the AL BUSAIDI that ruled after him including up to today.

They were used solely as pageantry swords at weddings; both Eid religious celebrations and important gatherings but mainly as a sword of heraldry in the march past of irregular infantry where they were shimmered and raised high in salute to the ruler.

The unwritten rules for its pageantry uses were contained in the Funun ...The Traditions where they can be viewed on various web based video and details already outined on EAA.

The swords carry the vestigial signature of Saiid The Great. His Tughra is placed here with a few examples of his mark on Sayf hilts. This mark is not on all examples, however, I see sufficient numbers to conclude the fact that this sword originated with his reign and was an invention to salute the Sultan and the Sultans who ruled after him as see in the march past of Omani Zanzibari persons at Zanzibar long after his death.

[Jim McDougall]

Great photos illustrating the examples of these tubular or cylindrical hilts which while characteristic of the sa'if which are intended for the Razha sword dance integral to the Funun events.
What is often confusing is that many of these elaborately decorated and sometimes with hilts of notable length which are apparently worn as fashionable status oriented accoutrements by persons of court or officials. Also merchants wore variations of these distinctive swords.

It is difficult to place the exact time when these became part of the Omani sword spectrum, but their hilts seem to recall those of ancient times into Saljuq Turk/Persian forms and Mamluk types of 12-14th c. Most of these however seem to have a shouldered guard and or cuff, like the sa'if Yemani.
Perhaps these were kind of a 'revival' type hilt, but it does seem that they were intended for the dance function involving the vertical posture of the blade, vibrating etc.
It seems that as noted, during the time of Said the Great is most likely as there were so many elaborations in weaponry and such visual effects, as the Razha became.

Burton (and Demmin) both commented on these cylindrical hilted swords as seen in Zanzibar worn by 'Arab gentlemen' and expressed wonder as to how such a weapon could be wielded in combat. It is unclear if Burton ever witnessed a Razha dance, but he (the swordsman he was) expressed disdain over Arab sword combat manner in leaping and evasive jumps. He describes the sword being held like a 'quarterstaff' with two hands.


This example with flamboyant blade seems a good illustration of the kinds of elaboration used in these type Omani sa'if, whether ones intended for use in the Razha and more of an implement than weapon...…..or those worn in fashionable status manner, and in the style of these al Busaidi forms.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Reference;
A. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18342 #14


THANK YOU JIM ~ And a reminder for researchers to look at the early hilt and swords of the UMAYAD and ABBASSIID which were directly reflected onto MAMLUK weapons. In that package the Sayf Yemaani needs to be included.
To that we should also add swords from those regions directly in trade contact with Oman which suggests African variants that also used a flat cylindrical hilt with similar covering..and a blade very like the Omani style. Trade had been ongoing for generations long before he took power in 1806 with these regions and was instrumental in persuading Saaid the Great to take the plunge in about 1830 making Stonetown his new capital on what was to become his Spice Islands Possession.
With this in mind the Manding Sword form springs to mind as an influence although it can be seen that the Manding is pointed therefor more rigid and usually has a lot of carving in the leather work on hilt and Scabbard. In this regard it is a fighting sword but the likeness is compelling and certainly must have come into contact through trade with Omani merchants.

Reference A links the Mending region to the central African scenario which had been an Omani trading area for centuries. Below the Mending shield is shown with exacting similarity to the Omani Terrs also illustrated.

Here also see the Mending hilt with ribbed and decorated style but showing its long hilt potential in design flow..

I add the Omani Khanjar hilt showing how the broad shape "flat and cylindrical" may have stepped across to the dancing sword hilt and simply had to be elongated for balance and control of the long vibrating blade and needed a counterweight knuckle pommel on the end to enhance this.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

ANOTHER PART SIGNATURE SWORD HILT SHOWN HERE AND DATED...1902