The Omani Shamshiir. - Page 3

Excalibur2025 · 23rd May 2025, 10:14 PM

Two photos of Sayyid Sir Khalifa II bin Harub Al-Busaidi, the ninth Sultan of Zanzibar (r. 9 December 1911– 9 October 1960), one presumably near the beginning of his reign and the second on his silver jubilee. Both of course show him holding his ceremonial shamshir.

Excalibur2025 · 30th May 2025, 12:08 PM

I found a bit more information about the Mwinyi Mkuu. It turns out that the caption of the picture was wrong - the people depicted were not from the 15th century:

"Mwinyi Mkuu, the 'Great Owner', last descendant of the Shirazi sultans who preceded the Omani Sultanate, together with his son. He died in 1865 and his son soon thereafter."

https://zanzibarhistory.org/Palatial_Zanzibar.htm

I'd be interested to know if there are any photographs of the type of nimcha he is seen with.

Jim McDougall · 1st June 2025, 09:10 PM

Mwinyi Mkuu (Muhammed bin Ahmed al Alawi, 1785-1865) was the last of the line of Shaziri rulers in Zanzibar.
Mkuu was a Tanzanian term for hereditary ruler.

The Shazadas were dynastic rulers of Persian origin so this dynasty appears to be from Persian settlers there c. 10th c. +

From the illustration the sword referred to has the familiar peak at the pommel seen on 'Zanzibar' versions of 'nimcha'......however the crossguard is notably that of a Persian shamshir. The shamshir was a prevalent sword form highly favored as a sword of status here much as many other places in the Dar al Islam, so not surprising.

This illustrated example however Im not sure represents a form of nimcha as much as perhaps IMO a notable combination of both Zanzibar nimcha and Persian guard.

23rd May 2025, 10:14 PM	#61
Excalibur2025 Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 22	Sayyid Sir Khalifa II Two photos of Sayyid Sir Khalifa II bin Harub Al-Busaidi, the ninth Sultan of Zanzibar (r. 9 December 1911– 9 October 1960), one presumably near the beginning of his reign and the second on his silver jubilee. Both of course show him holding his ceremonial shamshir. Attached Images

30th May 2025, 12:08 PM	#62
Excalibur2025 Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 22	Mwinyi Mkuu I found a bit more information about the Mwinyi Mkuu. It turns out that the caption of the picture was wrong - the people depicted were not from the 15th century: "Mwinyi Mkuu, the 'Great Owner', last descendant of the Shirazi sultans who preceded the Omani Sultanate, together with his son. He died in 1865 and his son soon thereafter." https://zanzibarhistory.org/Palatial_Zanzibar.htm I'd be interested to know if there are any photographs of the type of nimcha he is seen with.

1st June 2025, 09:10 PM	#63
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,260	Mwinyi Mkuu (Muhammed bin Ahmed al Alawi, 1785-1865) was the last of the line of Shaziri rulers in Zanzibar. Mkuu was a Tanzanian term for hereditary ruler. The Shazadas were dynastic rulers of Persian origin so this dynasty appears to be from Persian settlers there c. 10th c. + From the illustration the sword referred to has the familiar peak at the pommel seen on 'Zanzibar' versions of 'nimcha'......however the crossguard is notably that of a Persian shamshir. The shamshir was a prevalent sword form highly favored as a sword of status here much as many other places in the Dar al Islam, so not surprising. This illustrated example however Im not sure represents a form of nimcha as much as perhaps IMO a notable combination of both Zanzibar nimcha and Persian guard. Attached Images