Question in terminology

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.

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17th January 2010, 07:24 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,292	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.