Help ID this Khanjar

Oriental-Arms · 20th June 2005, 01:38 PM

As already correctly said, this is a Jambiya (more properly should be called Jannabiya), from Yemen, probably made in Sana’a in the turn off the 20th C. These dagger are common to Yemen only and I do not think that they spread much out, like the Omani Khanjars which are found all over the Arabian peninsula. Good old wide blade. The handle is most probably Rhinoceros horn as mentioned above (difficult to decide from the photo). Rhino horns for grips was very much sought after in Yemen as well as in the neighboring countries because of the belief in its aphrodisiac qualities. This demand was one of the major factors in the almost extinction of Rhinos from East Africa - The major source for supply of Rhino horns to Yemen. The demands still exist today. Similar daggers, with Rhino horn grips but with lesser quality blade are still made and sold today in the bazaars of Sana’a, and in spite the strict trade regulation, Rhinos are still being killed for their horns.

The name Khanjar is more common for daggers in Oman and the Gulf countries.

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20th June 2005, 01:38 PM	#6
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	As already correctly said, this is a Jambiya (more properly should be called Jannabiya), from Yemen, probably made in Sana’a in the turn off the 20th C. These dagger are common to Yemen only and I do not think that they spread much out, like the Omani Khanjars which are found all over the Arabian peninsula. Good old wide blade. The handle is most probably Rhinoceros horn as mentioned above (difficult to decide from the photo). Rhino horns for grips was very much sought after in Yemen as well as in the neighboring countries because of the belief in its aphrodisiac qualities. This demand was one of the major factors in the almost extinction of Rhinos from East Africa - The major source for supply of Rhino horns to Yemen. The demands still exist today. Similar daggers, with Rhino horn grips but with lesser quality blade are still made and sold today in the bazaars of Sana’a, and in spite the strict trade regulation, Rhinos are still being killed for their horns. The name Khanjar is more common for daggers in Oman and the Gulf countries.