2 Saudi Jambiya for comment

[kahnjar1]

I have just received the larger of these two Saudi Jambiya, which is 20" (51cm) overall, and the smaller one which I have had for a while, is 15" (38cm).
The large one has a belt, which I have removed so that it can be shown in full. Hopefully DOM or some other knowledgeable Member will be able to translate the script for me.
I am fairly sure that the large blade is made in two parts, but the smaller is one piece.
Quality of the scabbards and hilts is about the same.
I know that the small one was acquired in the early 1960s.....not sure of the age of the larger, though I feel it is slightly more modern.
Yours comments as always are welcome.
Regards Stuart

[Nathaniel]

Beautiful pieces, Stu. Congrats! Thanks for sharing

[Lew]

Stuart

You did good very nice examples.

[kahnjar1]

Hi Nathaniel and Lew. Thankyou both for the kind comments. Any suggestions of age or comments on the blades?
Stu

[Lew]

The blades seem well made with a thick central rib. My guess as far as age 1940s-60 still they exhibit fine craftmanship on the silverwork.

[T. Sketo]

Very nice "Sabak" or "Sabeek Taweel" (Taweel=Long) as they are kown is Saudi.

I was born, raised, ived and worked in Saudi for over 35 years and have
traveled he country from one end to the other.

The region were these are originally from and which still retain this type of long knife is in the Suthern Hejaz region near the Yemen border and is inhabited by the Bani Malik and other tribes.

Very good pictures and dscriptions of these knives can be seen in the
1980's era book by the French photographer Thierry Mauger entitled "Flowered Men of Arabia".

The tribes say that they traditionlly needed these longer sword type Janbiya's for the leopards and wolves that used to inhabite the area a long tima ago.

These are of very good quality as Saudi "Sabak or Sabeek" usually go. A lot of early ones in the 40's, 50's & had a lot of brass on them and not a lot had blades with the medial strenghtening ribs in them as these do.


I would imagine that these were made in either Taif (reknowned silver center), Kahmis Mushayt or maybe in Baha region.

I saw very few of them actually made in either Ryadh (Nejd province) or the Eastern province of Al-Ahsa (Dammam or Hofuf) where I grew up.

Respectfuly yours,

Ted Seto

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by T. Sketo

Very nice "Sabak" or "Sabeek Taweel" (Taweel=Long) as they are kown is Saudi.

I was born, raised, ived and worked in Saudi for over 35 years and have
traveled he country from one end to the other.

The region were these are originally from and which still retain this type of long knife is in the Suthern Hejaz region near the Yemen border and is inhabited by the Bani Malik and other tribes.

Very good pictures and dscriptions of these knives can be seen in the
1980's era book by the French photographer Thierry Mauger entitled "Flowered Men of Arabia".

The tribes say that they traditionlly needed these longer sword type Janbiya's for the leopards and wolves that used to inhabite the area a long tima ago.

These are of very good quality as Saudi "Sabak or Sabeek" usually go. A lot of early ones in the 40's, 50's & had a lot of brass on them and not a lot had blades with the medial strenghtening ribs in them as these do.


I would imagine that these were made in either Taif (reknowned silver center), Kahmis Mushayt or maybe in Baha region.

I saw very few of them actually made in either Ryadh (Nejd province) or the Eastern province of Al-Ahsa (Dammam or Hofuf) where I grew up.

Respectfuly yours,

Ted Seto

Thanks very much Ted, for your insight. I feel HEAPS better about them now, although I did think the silverwork was very well done.
I have several other Sabiki and maybe should post a collective pic of them all for comment!
Regards Stuart

[Devadatta]

Dear Ted, thank you for your post, it's very interesting!

Now I'm planning to get the book you were talking about. Is the full name "Flowered Men and Green Slopes of Arabia"?

Best regards,

Dmitry

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Devadatta

Dear Ted, thank you for your post, it's very interesting!

Now I'm planning to get the book you were talking about. Is the full name "Flowered Men and Green Slopes of Arabia"?

Best regards,

Dmitry

Likewise....I also have just ordered this book thru Abebooks.com.
Stu

[Devadatta]

Sirs, by the way - speaking of long Saudi jambiyas, what is the difference between sabeek and dharia, anyone knows?

[Dom]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hopefully DOM or some other knowledgeable Member will be able to translate the script for me.

Hi Stuart
have been not easy the translation, the delay was due to that
in fact it's a philosophic reflexion, where the difficulty come from
- from an Oriental spirit, found the English meaning not word by word, and in respect of the form
- from a froggy spirit, to find the nearest sense and the most presentable form
very twisted all that ...

we (Her and me ..) agreed on the follow text
- the "saïf" has more sincerity than the chronics in the books
- like blade splits between frivolity and serious

This is the meaning of the embroidery on the belt

à +

Dom

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Dom

Hi Stuart
have been not easy the translation, the delay was due to that
in fact it's a philosophic reflexion, where the difficulty come from
- from an Oriental spirit, found the English meaning not word by word, and in respect of the form
- from a froggy spirit, to find the nearest sense and the most presentable form
very twisted all that ...

we (Her and me ..) agreed on the follow text
- the "saïf" has more sincerity than the chronics in the books
- like blade splits between frivolity and serious

This is the meaning of the embroidery on the belt

à +

Dom

Thanks Dom, and your good lady. I am not sure that I really understand the meaning of the translation, but thanks you.
Regards Stu

[Dom]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

I am not sure that I really understand the meaning of the translation, but thanks you.
Regards Stu

a "Saif cannot lie",
not like, "the paper, who does not refuse ink"

also, (understanding the "Saif") knows to make difference between what is without interest, and what is important

à +

Dom

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Dom

a "Saif cannot lie",
not like, "the paper, who does not refuse ink"

also, (understanding the "Saif") knows to make difference between what is without interest, and what is important

à +

Dom

OK Dom, now I see the meaning. Thanks very much for the clarification.
Stu

[lionzden]

beautiful.. lost for words