Iraqi Daggers

[A.alnakkas]

Hello guys,

So I had an interesting discussion with an elderly Iraqi collector (of various antiques, including weapons) today. Was really nice, though the most important part is what he told me about Iraqi daggers!

Well, he cleared a few misconceptions I had about the 'Kurdish' khanjar, it seems to have been used not only by Kurds but by all Iraqis. Also, it was an initiation weapon for boys when they reach puberty and its worn concealed, unlike the Omani khanjar or the Yemeni jambiya. It is supposed to be called Gdaimi according to him.

Another weapons that I always wanted to learn about is the marsh Arab dagger. Like the 'kurdish' khanjar it is an initiation weapon given to boys when they become men. Supposedly, the use of this dagger is not restricted to southern Iraq or al Ahwar people but also used in Al Ahwaz region in modern day Iran (region populated mainly by Arabs). This is in agreement with an observation my father gave when he saw my marsh Arab daggers, he said that he saw some Ahwazi people wearing them when he visited some of our people there during his childhood. The elderly Iraqi gentleman told me it is called Akfa (literally meaning the curve) but I have heard it being called Shalfa before...

[A.alnakkas]

Here are some pictures of a marsh Arab dagger with its belt suspension thingy.

[Dom]

Thanks Lotfi,
absolutely fascinating, the stories, especially when it comes from the memory of our former generations

the 'Kurdish khanjar, have an evil blade, for their finesse, and especially their curvature
here two items with me

all the best

à +

Dom

[AJ1356]

very nice info shukran.