Koummya vs Khanjar: Name Game? Maybe Not

Ian · 22nd May 2025, 11:41 PM

gp,

Thanks for posting access to this excellent thesis. It is very well illustrated and the French is fairly easy to navigate, even for someone with a few years of secondary school instruction in the language.

Rob, having read the Waelter reference provided by gp, I can see why you have come to the opinion that you have expressed so well here. Jim's comments are also well placed in this context. I feel much better informed about the koummya for having read the material presented here. For anyone wishing to understand the history and details of Moroccan weapons, I recommend Waelter as a good read.

RobT · 24th May 2025, 12:04 AM

Hi All,

I just translated the part in the Waelty sample that has to do with koummya and khanjar. He also has a sample that deals with firearms and I wonder if he has anything on swords in the complete book. In any event, it would be really good to have an English version of the book.

Sincerely,
RobT

Ian · 24th May 2025, 07:04 AM

Rob,

Attached is the Table of Contents for the Waelty book. As shown, it includes discussion of the Firearms of Morocco, plus Sabers (nimcha), and "Other Arms." Quite a comprehensive coverage. The link provided by gp allows reading of the whole book online, and also the ability to print it out. Unfortunately, I could not find a way to download a PDF copy of the whole book.

Ian.
.

RobT · 25th May 2025, 12:44 AM

Ian,

I clicked on the link gp provided. As far as I can see, it doesn’t give the entire book of 185 pages. Clicking on Echantilon de lecture only gives 39 pages (which makes sense because echantillon means sample in French). This is the sample I downloaded for this post. Since there is a “Contact” tab, I sent another email asking about the possibility of an English version but because my first email asking about this went unanswered, I’m not holding my breath about this one.

Sincerely,
RobT

Ian · 25th May 2025, 02:51 AM

Rob, you are correct. It is just a sample. I had scrolled to the end of the online link and found page 184, thinking that it was the whole book! But unfortunately it's just selections from throughout the book, as you note.

corrado26 · 25th May 2025, 07:57 AM

I contacted the author yesterday, bought the book and had no difficulties to get an answer. Mr. Wälty speaks French and German

RobT · 26th May 2025, 07:22 PM

corrado26,

Since you have no trouble getting a response from Mr Waelty, could you ask him if an English version of his book is a possibility? I could puzzle through a good bit of the French but it was a tough and slow go. Save for a few words, German would be out of the question.

Sincerely,
RobT

24th May 2025, 12:04 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 563	We Need an English Version Hi All, I just translated the part in the Waelty sample that has to do with koummya and khanjar. He also has a sample that deals with firearms and I wonder if he has anything on swords in the complete book. In any event, it would be really good to have an English version of the book. Sincerely, RobT

24th May 2025, 07:04 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,449	Rob, Attached is the Table of Contents for the Waelty book. As shown, it includes discussion of the Firearms of Morocco, plus Sabers (nimcha), and "Other Arms." Quite a comprehensive coverage. The link provided by gp allows reading of the whole book online, and also the ability to print it out. Unfortunately, I could not find a way to download a PDF copy of the whole book. Ian. . Attached Images

25th May 2025, 12:44 AM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 563	Not the Whole Thing Ian, I clicked on the link gp provided. As far as I can see, it doesn’t give the entire book of 185 pages. Clicking on Echantilon de lecture only gives 39 pages (which makes sense because echantillon means sample in French). This is the sample I downloaded for this post. Since there is a “Contact” tab, I sent another email asking about the possibility of an English version but because my first email asking about this went unanswered, I’m not holding my breath about this one. Sincerely, RobT

22nd May 2025, 11:41 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,449	gp, Thanks for posting access to this excellent thesis. It is very well illustrated and the French is fairly easy to navigate, even for someone with a few years of secondary school instruction in the language. Rob, having read the Waelter reference provided by gp, I can see why you have come to the opinion that you have expressed so well here. Jim's comments are also well placed in this context. I feel much better informed about the koummya for having read the material presented here. For anyone wishing to understand the history and details of Moroccan weapons, I recommend Waelter as a good read.

25th May 2025, 02:51 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,449	Rob, you are correct. It is just a sample. I had scrolled to the end of the online link and found page 184, thinking that it was the whole book! But unfortunately it's just selections from throughout the book, as you note.

25th May 2025, 07:57 AM	#6
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,237	I contacted the author yesterday, bought the book and had no difficulties to get an answer. Mr. Wälty speaks French and German

26th May 2025, 07:22 PM	#7
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 563	corrado26, Since you have no trouble getting a response from Mr Waelty, could you ask him if an English version of his book is a possibility? I could puzzle through a good bit of the French but it was a tough and slow go. Save for a few words, German would be out of the question. Sincerely, RobT