Yemeni sword

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Thanks to Michael Blalock for the inclusion of more pictures showing the sword with a Yemeni tribal chief. It may not however detract from the general view that this is a Bukharan style . Yemeni Bukaran links are considerable in the religious field including architecture and religious linkages. The Yemen is perhaps the root birthplace of the Omani Battle Sword often called Sayf Yemaani...possibly made in Hadramaut… but a more direct link is more difficult to assume or prove.

I noted earlier the potential here for an Algerian blade and would add to that the likelihood of Yemeni Jewish involvement in the well crafted silver and the typical big architectural style in the hilt somewhat reflected in other weapon parts like the monumental, architectural crown at the end of the scabbard of Yemeni Daggers.

Trying to identify Mosque domes as linked to these weapons is impossible in my view... For example with say Iranian Mosque domes... but the Sayf Yemaani must pre date Islam in Iran if it did come to Oman in 700 to 752 AD as the Ibaathi battle Sword. The link between the Omani and Yemeni/ Bukharen sword shown here is in my opinion insufficiently explored...More research needed I suggest.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Ibrahiim for adding your insights here to a thread which is great to see again. While they say a picture is worth a thousand words, with regard to study and discussion, it helps to know what is pertinent and what we are looking at.

The salient points of this thread were views toward the possible Bukharen connections between the Yemen and Bukhara via religious circumstances, as well as the architectural influences shared and as is often the case. It does seem that architectural features often influence decoration and motif in many cultures. In many cases these are stylized and had to adequately identify, especially for those outside the according spheres.

I recall many years ago when I saw swords identified as Bukharen which had the red backed silver banding on the scabbard similar to the examples I had seen designated as Hadhramauti. In later discussion the spherical and ovoid pommels became notable as perhaps connected.

As you say, more research well warranted!!!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thank you Ibrahiim for adding your insights here to a thread which is great to see again. While they say a picture is worth a thousand words, with regard to study and discussion, it helps to know what is pertinent and what we are looking at.

The salient points of this thread were views toward the possible Bukharen connections between the Yemen and Bukhara via religious circumstances, as well as the architectural influences shared and as is often the case. It does seem that architectural features often influence decoration and motif in many cultures. In many cases these are stylized and had to adequately identify, especially for those outside the according spheres.

I recall many years ago when I saw swords identified as Bukharen which had the red backed silver banding on the scabbard similar to the examples I had seen designated as Hadhramauti. In later discussion the spherical and ovoid pommels became notable as perhaps connected.

As you say, more research well warranted!!!

Hello Jim, I was only just looking at the Yemen Bukharan connection and dug out this https://visainfodesk.com/po-i-kalyan...ra-uzbekistan/ where the Yemen provided the inspiration for a Great Mosque which has lasted as the main Bukharan Mosque for 500 years. Obviously with such a dignatory as this from Yemen the cultural and Religious ties must have been considerable however on the timescale this rules out certain aspects of the Sayf Yemaani ..The Old Omani Battle Sword.

The Yemeni link is important and the above reference states Quote" Mir-i Arab Madrasah (‘Arab emir madrasah’), which is still a functioning madrasah Islamic school, stands across from the mosque. The construction of the madrasah (1535 – 1536) was funded by Ubaidulla-Khan, Shaybani-Khan’s nephew. It was built for the sheikh Abdullah Yemeni, the spiritual mentor of the early Shaybanids. In order to build the madrasah, Ubaidulla-Khan had to sell 3,000 captive Persians he had as slaves. According to another source, he gave Abdullah Yemeni, Bukhara Islamic leader and his teacher, also known as Emir of the Arabs, all the loot from his raids to pay for the construction.''Unquote.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Hello Jim, I was only just looking at the Yemen Bukharan connection and dug out this https://visainfodesk.com/po-i-kalyan...ra-uzbekistan/ where the Yemen provided the inspiration for a Great Mosque which has lasted as the main Bukharan Mosque for 500 years. Obviously with such a dignatory as this from Yemen the cultural and Religious ties must have been considerable however on the timescale this rules out certain aspects of the Sayf Yemaani ..The Old Omani Battle Sword.

The Yemeni link is important and the above reference states Quote" Mir-i Arab Madrasah (‘Arab emir madrasah’), which is still a functioning madrasah Islamic school, stands across from the mosque. The construction of the madrasah (1535 – 1536) was funded by Ubaidulla-Khan, Shaybani-Khan’s nephew. It was built for the sheikh Abdullah Yemeni, the spiritual mentor of the early Shaybanids. In order to build the madrasah, Ubaidulla-Khan had to sell 3,000 captive Persians he had as slaves. According to another source, he gave Abdullah Yemeni, Bukhara Islamic leader and his teacher, also known as Emir of the Arabs, all the loot from his raids to pay for the construction.''Unquote.

I recall in discussions as I noted, that there was a distinct similarity in the scabbard decoration of swords from Hadhramaut (Elgood, "Arabian Arms & Armour) and those of Bukhara. While it is of course a tenuous suggestion based on what would seem free association, but the religious connections and proclivity for architectural influences from Mosques and Minarets on sword decoration in these contexts is most interesting.

At the top are Bukharen swords,
To the right a sa'if from Hadhramat
Botton, a San'aa mounted sword of Yemen

[ariel]

Elgood’s book on arms and armour of Arabia came out in 1994, almost 30 years ago.
Since then several books addressing narrowly defined topics ( i.e. Yemeni Janbiyas, specifically Omani weapons, North African bladed weapons) were published and internet Fora had multiple discussions of different physical aspects of Arabian swords and daggers, their history, their typology, uncovering formerly unknown examples etc,etc . In short , we have gotten so much of new information that a new book covering the whole panoply of historical weapons of the Arab world is absolutely needed.

Either Elgood might re-write his book as an expanded second edition or somebody else might assemble a group of people with good knowledge of a particular variety of ethnic weapons to be assigned well-defined chapters.

I think the time is ripe for such an enterprise.

[A.alnakkas]

Originally Posted by ariel

Elgood’s book on arms and armour of Arabia came out in 1994, almost 30 years ago.
Since then several books addressing narrowly defined topics ( i.e. Yemeni Janbiyas, specifically Omani weapons, North African bladed weapons) were published and internet Fora had multiple discussions of different physical aspects of Arabian swords and daggers, their history, their typology, uncovering formerly unknown examples etc,etc . In short , we have gotten so much of new information that a new book covering the whole panoply of historical weapons of the Arab world is absolutely needed.

Either Elgood might re-write his book as an expanded second edition or somebody else might assemble a group of people with good knowledge of a particular variety of ethnic weapons to be assigned well-defined chapters.

I think the time is ripe for such an enterprise.

I’ve been working on this for years now. Shibriyas are my current focus with barely any progress. So many types with little info.

[ariel]

Talk to Motan on this forum. He collects shibriyas and is well-informed about them.

[Michael Blalock]

Quite a beautiful Yemeni sword. I saw this online yesterday. Not great photos. I question the attribution for the 1500’s. The decorations are too similar to the other examples we have that were likely made within the last two centuries.
That’s quite a hefty price as well.
See the description below.



Item Overview
Description
A sword (saif) with flat slightly tapering double-edged blade, on one side with inscriptions in naskh script, the green mina enameled silver hilt with ribbed pommel, the guard and the grip carved with floral decorations. The leather covered scabbard body with two belt attachment rings, the locket and chape with a similar green mina enameled and silver carved decoration with traces of gilding. Length: 106 cm. Early swords from the Arab cultures use to employ straight heavy blades. Curved shamshir style swords were adopted by many Arab communities and cultures around the 10th century, but in two places – Oman and Yemen straight blade swords continued to be used. The well known Omani Kattara sword was in use well into the 20th century. Its Yemeni “sister” is much less common. The Yemeni sword with straight blade follows the style of earlier Islamic swords. Quite similar to Mamluk swords from the 13th century, not only with its straight blade but also the handle style with a ball shaped or similar rounded pommel. Use of early European blade is also common to these swords. PROVENANCE Private collection, France. CATALOGUE NOTE Badr Abu Tuwaireq, Badr bin Abdullah bin Ali bin Omar Al Kathiri, one of the greatest sultans of the Kathiri Sultanate. Born in 1494, one year after his grandfather Jaafar occupied al-Shihr. He assumed the sultanate after his father in 1520, but the ambition of his brother Badr left him no room for action. He is considered the first Hadhrami sultan who persevered in unifying the regions of Hadramout and Mukalla. During his reign he reached the farthest limits of the Kathiri Sultanate. He knew that every tribe could declare its disobedience and rebellion and isolate its small areas of rule, harming the great unity of Hadramout and the region. As soon as the year 1520 passed, Abu Tuwaireq was the de facto ruler of Hadramout, and his brother Muhammad remained the ruler of Dhofar. However, Abu Tuwaireq wrested Dhofar from his brother in the year 1540. He became the ruler with the entire Kathiri state after he made his brother Muhammad ruler of the city of Al-Shihr, worked to form an army from other forces made up of the Turks of the Ottoman army, during the period of Caliph Suleiman the Magnificent, as well as from Jabal Yafea and their loyalists, and from some northern Yemeni regions, in order to be assured of their obedience and non-rebellion, and to fight the rebellious tribes against him in Nahd and Hamum. During his reign of nearly 50 years (died in1569) had many wars with the Doan tribes, headed by the sheikhdom of the Amoudi family and Siban under the leadership of Sheikh Othman bin Ahmed Al-Amoudi Governor of the Doan Valley. Many of the tribes of Yafaa migrated during his reign to Hadhramaut and remained there to this day.
Condition Report

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[TVV]

I doubt the 16th century attribution as well, but it is the nicest one of these I have personally seen.