Question in terminology

Devadatta · 16th January 2010, 03:18 PM

Thanks a lot for your ansewr - it's very useful!

Jim McDougall · 16th January 2010, 04:53 PM

youre welcome! always glad to be useful

Devadatta · 17th January 2010, 10:30 AM

Dear Gentlemen, in order not to start a new topic I'd like to ask about "saifani" handle of Yemeni jambia, which is often mentioned in articles over this type of dagger. What does it look like? When I was in Yemen I saw a lot of diffirent handle-patterns, but which of them could be that very "saifani" I just forgot to ask. Manythanks in advance!

Jim McDougall · 17th January 2010, 07:24 PM

Devadatta,
The term saifani jambia simply refers to what is apparantly a very high grade janbiyya with emphasis on the hilt material, the most important component of these traditional daggers and status symbols.
These are tremendously expensive janbiyyas and thus typically owned by judges, prominant businessmen and merchants, as well as dignitaries, especially of the most revered Hashamite line.

There seem to be classification terms that refer mostly to the coloration of the horn used in these hilts:
saifani- the term for dull yellow lustre
saifani heart- as the color becomes clearer yellow
asadi- a saifani whose hilt becomes greenish yellow
zaraf- whitish yellow
albasali- white as white onion

It is unclear whether these colorations alter with age, or have to do with the traditions and beliefs that correspond to the rhino horn which is most highly sought for the hilts. The exorbitant costs involved are very much due to stringent laws emplaced with rhino horn, and the very illegal trade that exists seeking it.

Dom · 18th January 2010, 01:14 AM

Hi Jim

thanks for your very acute and pertinent answer
nevertheless a precision,

all those comments concern mainly on Yemen

for have been 6 years in Saudi, I never hear about "saifani" (vernacular ?)

à +

Dom

Jim McDougall · 18th January 2010, 03:45 AM

Hi Dom, well noted, these terms are strictly Yemeni. I have not seen notes accordingly placed for the Omani khanjars and am unclear whether the same materials have the same nomenclature there. While they also use rhino horn, or try to, I am unsure whether the same arcane properties carry the same type classifications with different terms?

That would be interesting to hear more about.

All the best,
Jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

Hi Jim

thanks for your very acute and pertinent answer
nevertheless a precision,

all those comments concern mainly on Yemen

for have been 6 years in Saudi, I never hear about "saifani" (vernacular ?)

à +

Dom

Devadatta · 19th January 2010, 06:01 AM

Dear Jim, thanks again, now everything seems more or less clear!

16th January 2010, 03:18 PM	#1
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	Thanks a lot for your ansewr - it's very useful!

16th January 2010, 04:53 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	youre welcome! always glad to be useful

17th January 2010, 10:30 AM	#3
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	Dear Gentlemen, in order not to start a new topic I'd like to ask about "saifani" handle of Yemeni jambia, which is often mentioned in articles over this type of dagger. What does it look like? When I was in Yemen I saw a lot of diffirent handle-patterns, but which of them could be that very "saifani" I just forgot to ask. Manythanks in advance!

17th January 2010, 07:24 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Devadatta, The term saifani jambia simply refers to what is apparantly a very high grade janbiyya with emphasis on the hilt material, the most important component of these traditional daggers and status symbols. These are tremendously expensive janbiyyas and thus typically owned by judges, prominant businessmen and merchants, as well as dignitaries, especially of the most revered Hashamite line. There seem to be classification terms that refer mostly to the coloration of the horn used in these hilts: saifani- the term for dull yellow lustre saifani heart- as the color becomes clearer yellow asadi- a saifani whose hilt becomes greenish yellow zaraf- whitish yellow albasali- white as white onion It is unclear whether these colorations alter with age, or have to do with the traditions and beliefs that correspond to the rhino horn which is most highly sought for the hilts. The exorbitant costs involved are very much due to stringent laws emplaced with rhino horn, and the very illegal trade that exists seeking it.

18th January 2010, 01:14 AM	#5
Dom Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Paris (FR*) Cairo (EG) Posts: 1,142	Hi Jim thanks for your very acute and pertinent answer nevertheless a precision, all those comments concern mainly on Yemen for have been 6 years in Saudi, I never hear about "saifani" (vernacular ?) à + Dom

19th January 2010, 06:01 AM	#7
Devadatta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 118	Dear Jim, thanks again, now everything seems more or less clear!