Big jambiya

Michael Blalock · 15th March 2007, 03:38 AM

Sorry about the poor photo, I hope to get a better one. Thats a big jambiya. If I came across it now without seeing this photo I would have thought it was some kind prop.

Emanuel · 15th March 2007, 04:28 AM

Hello Michael,

This is a Wahabite jambiya no? Check out Oriental-Arms: http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....te&s.x=0&s.y=0
I also wondered about these weapons...esseantially short swords, and I doubt they were used as stabbing weapons.

Emanuel

FenrisWolf · 15th March 2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manolo

Hello Michael,

This is a Wahabite jambiya no? Check out Oriental-Arms: http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....te&s.x=0&s.y=0
I also wondered about these weapons...esseantially short swords, and I doubt they were used as stabbing weapons.

Emanuel

Yup, Wahabite Jambiya/Khanjar, they range in size from a small dagger (6 inch blade) up to monsters like the one in the picture that would qualify as a shortsword. Razorsharp on both edges, the tip is sharp enough to thrust with in a pinch, though it lacks the thickened point seen on blades that re designed for that purpose. These are the 'manhood' blades of the Wahabite sect, very stylized at this point in time. Wahabites are the core Fundamentalist sect of Islam:

http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,719270,00.html

S.Al-Anizi · 15th March 2007, 08:41 AM

Hello Mike,

Actually, the description on the photo is wrong. That is a photo of one the Sharif's nephews (as I read in two books), why would a pilgrim be armed?

Anyway, as Fenris said, these range in lengths from about 10" to to ones 2.5 feet in size. Which would suggest that in some places, they were probably used as shortswords.

As to the Wahabite name, that is totally incorrect and a very common misconception with collectors of Jambiyas. The followers of Muhammad Ibn Abdulwahab were in Nejd, and wore traditional Omani Jambiyas, or local Nejdi made ones, but in an undeniable Omani style. These large Jambiyas you see were made and worn, still today, in the Asir region, between the Hejaz and the Yemen, where Wahabism has never really penetrated, and no warriors from there actually joined the wahhabi/saudi coalition in Nejd, they actually fought against it in the 18th century.

Rick · 15th March 2007, 03:18 PM

Another Collector misconception cleared up .

Thanks Saqr; this kind of input is invaluable.

Rick

Emanuel · 15th March 2007, 07:07 PM

So...what do we call them now? Would "Asir jambiya" be more adequate?

Emanuel

15th March 2007, 03:38 AM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Big jambiya Sorry about the poor photo, I hope to get a better one. Thats a big jambiya. If I came across it now without seeing this photo I would have thought it was some kind prop. Attached Images

15th March 2007, 04:28 AM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello Michael, This is a Wahabite jambiya no? Check out Oriental-Arms: http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....te&s.x=0&s.y=0 I also wondered about these weapons...esseantially short swords, and I doubt they were used as stabbing weapons. Emanuel

15th March 2007, 08:41 AM	#4
S.Al-Anizi Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arabia Posts: 278	Hello Mike, Actually, the description on the photo is wrong. That is a photo of one the Sharif's nephews (as I read in two books), why would a pilgrim be armed? Anyway, as Fenris said, these range in lengths from about 10" to to ones 2.5 feet in size. Which would suggest that in some places, they were probably used as shortswords. As to the Wahabite name, that is totally incorrect and a very common misconception with collectors of Jambiyas. The followers of Muhammad Ibn Abdulwahab were in Nejd, and wore traditional Omani Jambiyas, or local Nejdi made ones, but in an undeniable Omani style. These large Jambiyas you see were made and worn, still today, in the Asir region, between the Hejaz and the Yemen, where Wahabism has never really penetrated, and no warriors from there actually joined the wahhabi/saudi coalition in Nejd, they actually fought against it in the 18th century.

15th March 2007, 03:18 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	Another Collector misconception cleared up . Thanks Saqr; this kind of input is invaluable. Rick

15th March 2007, 07:07 PM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	So...what do we call them now? Would "Asir jambiya" be more adequate? Emanuel