Large Wahabite Jambiya for comment.

[Steve]

Hi Guys,
Just to add my views to this thread. As far as I'm aware the sabiki dagger is drawn by the right hand in a sweaping motion of an arc almost going over the head. If that description makes sense.

It seems that just about all the sabikis made in quantity in the 1900's come in different sizes for the same style. The photo attached are two I have , one 22inch and one 19 inch, of the style under discussion. Gene, the smaller one does seem to have a brass cartridge as a plug in the toe.

With regards the black and white photo. Although Elgood does give the description noted by Stu, an older caption reads that the picture was of the prize camel of Sherif Jahja. Sherif Jahja is seen with his personal slave ( on the left), an escort with rifle and camel driver. I think those shown wearing sabikis are essentially slaves, bodyguards and attendents. photo taken in 1860.

It has been commented to me that the sabikis in the early days, I would guess 1700/1800's, were initially worn by the " big black guys" (read: guards, probably slaves of african desent) before becoming more wide spread among local tribes. As told to me.

I suspect that some sabikis of usual form are still made today.
Steve