Big jambiya

Michael Blalock · 15th March 2007, 04:38 AM

Sorry about the poor photo, I hope to get a better one. Thats a big jambiya. If I came across it now without seeing this photo I would have thought it was some kind prop.

Emanuel · 15th March 2007, 05:28 AM

Hello Michael,

This is a Wahabite jambiya no? Check out Oriental-Arms: http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....te&s.x=0&s.y=0
I also wondered about these weapons...esseantially short swords, and I doubt they were used as stabbing weapons.

Emanuel

FenrisWolf · 15th March 2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manolo

Hello Michael,

This is a Wahabite jambiya no? Check out Oriental-Arms: http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....te&s.x=0&s.y=0
I also wondered about these weapons...esseantially short swords, and I doubt they were used as stabbing weapons.

Emanuel

Yup, Wahabite Jambiya/Khanjar, they range in size from a small dagger (6 inch blade) up to monsters like the one in the picture that would qualify as a shortsword. Razorsharp on both edges, the tip is sharp enough to thrust with in a pinch, though it lacks the thickened point seen on blades that re designed for that purpose. These are the 'manhood' blades of the Wahabite sect, very stylized at this point in time. Wahabites are the core Fundamentalist sect of Islam:

http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,719270,00.html

S.Al-Anizi · 15th March 2007, 09:41 AM

Hello Mike,

Actually, the description on the photo is wrong. That is a photo of one the Sharif's nephews (as I read in two books), why would a pilgrim be armed?

Anyway, as Fenris said, these range in lengths from about 10" to to ones 2.5 feet in size. Which would suggest that in some places, they were probably used as shortswords.

As to the Wahabite name, that is totally incorrect and a very common misconception with collectors of Jambiyas. The followers of Muhammad Ibn Abdulwahab were in Nejd, and wore traditional Omani Jambiyas, or local Nejdi made ones, but in an undeniable Omani style. These large Jambiyas you see were made and worn, still today, in the Asir region, between the Hejaz and the Yemen, where Wahabism has never really penetrated, and no warriors from there actually joined the wahhabi/saudi coalition in Nejd, they actually fought against it in the 18th century.

Rick · 15th March 2007, 04:18 PM

Another Collector misconception cleared up .

Thanks Saqr; this kind of input is invaluable.

Rick

Emanuel · 15th March 2007, 08:07 PM

So...what do we call them now? Would "Asir jambiya" be more adequate?

Emanuel

Michael Blalock · 17th March 2007, 05:23 AM

Better image.

FenrisWolf · 17th March 2007, 07:01 AM

Interesting! I've always wondered how those were worn; it looks like even the large jambiyas are set up to be drawn pommel up towards the thumb, the reverse of how one would hold a sword. I suppose it would be possible to twist the hand so as to draw the weapon with the blade positioned for a slash or drawcut, but it seems awkward for that....

ariel · 25th March 2007, 10:30 PM

This picture was in Elgood's book.
What puzzled me then and still puzzles me now it the orientation of all Jambiyas: the handles face left side of the body. If one looks at other pics in the same book, all of them show Jambiyas oriented to the left (as here), but they are all short like No.2 from the left. Unless the entire family and their servants were south-paws, this will make drawing the exceedingly long dagger very difficult.
Possibilities:
1. There must have been a reason for the leftward orientation ; was it special drawing technique? For example: with the right hand on the down side of the handle flip the jambiya to the right, then draw. This will be almost like a shashka or wakizashi cut: one movement for both the draw and the slash.
2. The negative was flipped.
Any ideas?

Michael Blalock · 25th March 2007, 11:37 PM

Every Arabian Penninsula jambiya I have ever seen is oriented this way, hooked or pointing to the right with the handle either vertical or to the left and the jambiy is drawn with the right hand with the thumb at the top of the handle. I would assume that there is enough flexibility in the belt of these long jambiyas that they can be twisted and the blade drawn with an upward motion. It might have to do with the dirty left hand and clean right hand issue. By the way, attached is a close-up of reportely the most valuable jambiya in yemen. I posted a photo of the owner Shiekh Ahmar wearing it in a previous post.

ariel · 26th March 2007, 01:11 AM

Is he putting it on E-Bay?

Michael Blalock · 26th March 2007, 03:33 AM

It belonged to Imam Ahmad who beheaded the Sheikh's father and brothers and held him as a hostage for several years, so I think he will keep it for sentimental reasons.

15th March 2007, 04:38 AM	#1
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Big jambiya Sorry about the poor photo, I hope to get a better one. Thats a big jambiya. If I came across it now without seeing this photo I would have thought it was some kind prop. Attached Images

17th March 2007, 05:23 AM	#7
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Better image. Attached Images

25th March 2007, 11:37 PM	#10
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Every Arabian Penninsula jambiya I have ever seen is oriented this way, hooked or pointing to the right with the handle either vertical or to the left and the jambiy is drawn with the right hand with the thumb at the top of the handle. I would assume that there is enough flexibility in the belt of these long jambiyas that they can be twisted and the blade drawn with an upward motion. It might have to do with the dirty left hand and clean right hand issue. By the way, attached is a close-up of reportely the most valuable jambiya in yemen. I posted a photo of the owner Shiekh Ahmar wearing it in a previous post. Attached Images

15th March 2007, 05:28 AM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello Michael, This is a Wahabite jambiya no? Check out Oriental-Arms: http://www.oriental-arms.com/search....te&s.x=0&s.y=0 I also wondered about these weapons...esseantially short swords, and I doubt they were used as stabbing weapons. Emanuel

15th March 2007, 09:41 AM	#4
S.Al-Anizi Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arabia Posts: 278	Hello Mike, Actually, the description on the photo is wrong. That is a photo of one the Sharif's nephews (as I read in two books), why would a pilgrim be armed? Anyway, as Fenris said, these range in lengths from about 10" to to ones 2.5 feet in size. Which would suggest that in some places, they were probably used as shortswords. As to the Wahabite name, that is totally incorrect and a very common misconception with collectors of Jambiyas. The followers of Muhammad Ibn Abdulwahab were in Nejd, and wore traditional Omani Jambiyas, or local Nejdi made ones, but in an undeniable Omani style. These large Jambiyas you see were made and worn, still today, in the Asir region, between the Hejaz and the Yemen, where Wahabism has never really penetrated, and no warriors from there actually joined the wahhabi/saudi coalition in Nejd, they actually fought against it in the 18th century.

15th March 2007, 04:18 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Another Collector misconception cleared up . Thanks Saqr; this kind of input is invaluable. Rick

15th March 2007, 08:07 PM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	So...what do we call them now? Would "Asir jambiya" be more adequate? Emanuel

17th March 2007, 07:01 AM	#8
FenrisWolf Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 181	Interesting! I've always wondered how those were worn; it looks like even the large jambiyas are set up to be drawn pommel up towards the thumb, the reverse of how one would hold a sword. I suppose it would be possible to twist the hand so as to draw the weapon with the blade positioned for a slash or drawcut, but it seems awkward for that....

25th March 2007, 10:30 PM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This picture was in Elgood's book. What puzzled me then and still puzzles me now it the orientation of all Jambiyas: the handles face left side of the body. If one looks at other pics in the same book, all of them show Jambiyas oriented to the left (as here), but they are all short like No.2 from the left. Unless the entire family and their servants were south-paws, this will make drawing the exceedingly long dagger very difficult. Possibilities: 1. There must have been a reason for the leftward orientation ; was it special drawing technique? For example: with the right hand on the down side of the handle flip the jambiya to the right, then draw. This will be almost like a shashka or wakizashi cut: one movement for both the draw and the slash. 2. The negative was flipped. Any ideas?

26th March 2007, 01:11 AM	#11
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Is he putting it on E-Bay?

26th March 2007, 03:33 AM	#12
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	It belonged to Imam Ahmad who beheaded the Sheikh's father and brothers and held him as a hostage for several years, so I think he will keep it for sentimental reasons.