A koummya- and contexts

[Jim McDougall]

I have long been aware of these Moroccan daggers, which are apparently the North African version of the Arabian janbiyya or khanjhar, which as I understand are basically the same but with localized characteristics and called by these different terms accordingly.

In the years of discussions it seems most of these found these days are of the souvenir category from early 1900s well through the century, and if course are most attractive daggers well representing the desirable exotica often sought by westerners.

It seems generally held that these were primarily status oriented weapons worn accordingly and not typically used as daggers would be presumed to be. In most, especially older examples, they would be notably adequate of course.

I recently found this in a shop here in Texas. Apparently from the estate of a well traveled gentleman who acquired it along with some other items and curiosities in his time in Saudi Arabia. It seems that the hilt is not ivory but camel bone. It is quite sound and seems heavy, and I think likely from the 1920s.

While not sure of the date period, it seems 1920s would be reasonable.
With that, as I bought this, I thought of the Rif Wars (1920-26) and of course the famed Berber chief, Mulai Ahmed er Raisuni (1871-1925) better known as RAISULI.
He was quite notorious as a warrior as well as pirate, leader of the Jebala tribal confederacy, he was featured in the film "The Wind and the Lion" (1975) portrayed by Sean Connery.(Thanks Wayne!).

Though I am certainly not suggesting any connection to him, nor to the Berber tribes, in context, in these times the koummya would seem to have been in use in accord with the fashion of the times in Morocco. ...and if the date on this is from that period, then it has historical context.

The book in the photo is a 1925 biography by Rosita Forbes.

As always, I'd really appreciate comments and observations as you guys really know these. This is honestly the first Ive ever had in over 50 years of collecting and study!
Athough the blade is unmarked, that sort of disappointed me.....this dagger really 'called' to me, and felt like it might have stories to tell

[RobT]

Hi Jim McDougall,

I think your estimate of 1910-1920 is plausible. The French annexed part of Morocco in 1912 and then the Spanish annexed the rest in that same year. Both countries were heavily involved in Morocco before then.
Did you check under the ferrule for a maker’s mark? To my eye, the very sharp and clean grind lines on your blade make European machine manufacture likely.
The well done metal work on the sheath and hilt indicate that the dagger was made for an upscale market. Actually, the decoration on the sheath and the hilt metal work is also very regular and I wonder if these elements were not made in Europe and the decoration done with some sort of “mix and match” stamp set.
The fine blade notwithstanding, I don’t think this knife was made for or worn with any serious belief that it would have to be used in combat because the virtually nonexistent hilt quillons would do almost nothing to keep the user’s hand from sliding up the blade on impact.
I think there is one very interesting and probably important thing to note about koummya with European made blades (and perhaps dress as well). European trade blades abound in Africa from north to south but they are, in all cases that I am aware of, European blades (albeit sometimes modified) that have been hilted and sheathed by Africans. The European made koummya with its curved blade having a long edge on the concave side and a short edge on the convex side, was made in Europe to follow the African design exactly. It is amazing to me that we have no European blade smith records regarding this very singular blade.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Jim McDougall]

Rob thank you so much for answering on this! Actually your recent post with your example really inspired me to get this as in years past I have typically passed over examples of these with little notice.
Now my interest is entirely piqued in them!! and though my example has an unmarked blade it is as you kindly note, very well made. ...I was disappointed at no makers mark or other present.

There are no marks anywhere. You bring up a very good point on the fact that these blades do seem European made, and it seems it would be hard to reprofile extant blades from military swords etc. to this configuration.
Your observation on this type hilt suggesting non combative dress wear is well placed, and everything I have seen notes the dress wear as status oriented.

I agree on the blades. We seem to have all manner of records and notes on European blades makers for sword blades including those exported to colonial markets of course, but there are none for these.

Thank you again Rob!

[kahnjar1]

Re RobT.s comment above......the fact this has no quillons does not preclude it's use as a weapon. I have not seen ANY Koummya that have TRUE quillons. Some have a shaped grip but more often than not, are similar to the example shown by Jim. As far as being used as a weapon goes, I'm sure that they have been in the past (and possibly still are). I should add that there are many examples of tourist items being offered for sale on a well known website and it's just a case of the buyer being aware if a genuine old item is sought.
Stu

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks for answering Stu, and well noted on these areas. What I have found interesting on these distinctively made blades is the cutting edge on the inside of curve. This was in my opinion for slashing cut, and in these kinds of uses would not require quillon or hand guard. Most janbiyyas I have seen are without notable guard elements.

As with most edged weapons which have become dress or ceremonially worn, just as court swords have become, most evolved in degree from fully combative forms, but have become less pragmatically designed and accordingly more decorated.
I think this is what Rob refers to, and as you point out, as I mentioned, it seems there are profound numbers of these which are pretty clearly 'souk' items offered. What attracted me on this one was its solid and hefty character and the well made blade.

One thing I was looking at is that the scabbard is decorated fully on both sides, where of course there are examples void of decoration on the inside. Is there any rule of thumb as to either of these instances pointing to souvenir vs. authentic traditionally worn?

[Marc M.]

Hi Jim
Congratulations on your first koumiya. I got to know koumiyas in the late 1990s when an exhibition on Morocco was taking place at the Africa Museum. The catalogue of the exhibition did not provide any information about these objects beyond 3 photos. Books about these knives are rare and expensive so knowledge about the koumiya was fairly non-existent. That changed somewhat with joining the forum, lots of info make that I found 3 reasonably good koumiya's, all already posted. What is decisive for me is the blade. With the right dimensions and especially the thickness of the blade, you are already well placed to make the distinction and the general shape and finish of the blade is also important. It is easier to hold it in your hand than to decide from a distance. In the case of a koumiya I try to bend the blade by hand, it stays crookedl, low quality and usually tourist grade, a good steel blade returns to the position before bending. Each of us will have a way of judging a blade.
Regards
Marc

[Pertinax]

An excerpt from the book Armes anciennes du Maroc - Bijoux de parade de Hans F. WAELTY, can be downloaded here:

https://www.armes-anciennes-du-maroc..._selection.pdf

[Jim McDougall]

Wonderful input Marc! thank you and for the kind words!
After a lifetime of collecting and studying arms and armor, it feels odd to be such a novice in these, but we all know collecting is very specialized.

As you note, there is very little specific literature on these in English, other than cursory remarks in captioned examples in comprehensive works and even the material in other languages is obscure and expensive.

This is why this forum is so essential and has become such a powerful resource for such data, and has become more so since inception over 25 years ago, the collective input of members such as you guys archived into massive resource.

A day without learning , is a day lost!
Thank you all again and looking forward to more on examples.

All the best
Jim