The Omani Khanjar

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams all; Note to library;

The extremely rare Omani decorated pipe and tobacco container. Tobacco is grown locally in Oman and can be obtained in plastic empty water bottles in the souk! I am told it is very strong stuff. Rather an understatement as one puff is enough to knock over a horse !
The tobacco holder made from Gazelle horn and silver adorned with a variety of lucky motifs and mathematical charms, bells and trinkets and the pipe mirroring the figure 5 ~ with 5 rings on the stem. Silver representing the moon is in itself talismanic. Mastercrafted by an Omani silversmith. Usually worn looping over the belt or Khanjar. Readers will recall the other uses of Gazelle horn as gunpowder flasks and on the weavers loom to "ram" the wool.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaams all ~ Apparently the best tobacco is grown locally and the top stuff is from the Omani Baatinah Coast ~ from Shinas. It is purchased in empty water bottles. Lighting and smoking is done in one hit... and would revive the dead (or knock out a horse!) Strong stuff !!
Here is another style of tobacco container; this time all silver. The second picture is the Mukhallah or Kohl (antimony paste) container and eye applicator..worn on a chain on the Khanjar or Gun belt. This one taken from the design of the 303 blackpowder Enfield bullet and case. Oddly all screw mechanisms on traditional silver worked lids are counterscrew (opposite direction to those in the west.)
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.