Koummya Inscription
 

I was wondering if maybe these markings on my koummya might be some sort of writing or if they are simply an artistic design. Since I have no knowledge of any type of writing from that part of the world, I thought I'd ask for help here. Thanks.

Hi JS,
I'm certainly no linguist either, but the context here would suggest probably geometric based motif, with interesting forms chosen. Looks like a nicely appointed example, but these designs might come from a number of symbolic sources.
I dont think I've ever seen any type of inscriptions on the pommel caps of these, more typically on blades.
It would be interesting if anyone recognizes any of these figures corresponding to symbolic markings.
Could you show the entire piece?

Best regards,
Jim

Hmm, if it were a geometric motif, I would expect it to be symmetric. I believe there is a simple inscription here, even is masked, and hopefully Dom or someone else might be able to shed more light.
Regards,
Teodor

Good observation Teodor! This does seem more linear, and perhaps there might be some sort of symbolism concealed in this......the thot plickens :)

Thanks for the replies. I also was thinking that if it were just a design it would be symetrical. Hopefully someone on here can shed some light on this! I've included a link to another post that has some more pictures of the knife.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10953

Looks Evil to me ;)

Jeff

Hi Teodor,
yes "jswillems" is a lucky guy :p

1 - as I already wrote, that khoumyia is a quality "mousse" (name given by Moorish to that specific knife)
2 - there is a date apparently 1299 Hegira either 1881 Gregorian
3 - there are names; Mohamed Ahmed

that khoumyia is realy above the nice one by all those particularities :D
and I'm very sorry to don't be the owner :o

again, congratulations "jswillems" ;)

à +

Dom

Dom, you are an absolute treasure on these inscriptions!!! Not only can I not read these Arabic inscriptions, here I couldnt even recognize the characters, and was patently incorrect in assuming such inscriptions did not occur in hilt decoration. Thank you for stabilizing my perspective on these fascinating weapons, and a valuable addition in understanding them....a beautiful example P.S.Willems!!!! Please show the entire koummya OK?

Good call Teodor!!! :)


All the best,
Jim

Jim, already "jswillems" did it,
he remind us this a link (see here on above :p )
all pic's are there ;) http://www.vikingsword.co/vb/showthread.php?t=10953

all the best

à +

Dom

Wow, thank you for all the great information! I never would have guessed that this koummya would be of such quality. Heck of a way to get started in the hobby!

Beware Beginner's Luck ... ;) :)

COMPLEMENT OF INFORMATION ... :p
by a more acute examination, we found the "cherry on the cake" :D

the word "A'AM" in Arabic, means "YEAR" in English, just before the digits
by experience, I'm very familiar with numbers in Arabic,
but I dunno to read or write that language :o ... just the voice :shrug:

when I showed to my translator the date, she was doubting about my reading
as far as I was insisting, suddenly she got it, and she read the word "A'AM"

all mentions are writing in a way more of decoration than in calligraphy :rolleyes:

à +

Dom