Help to identify this African(?) knife

shayde78 · 4th July 2021, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shayde78

I learned that the script is Arabic, in the Moroccan or Algerian dialect, and approximately reads, "be merciful to the ones around you [neighbors]".

Any help with translating this inscription? I never got feedback from anyone on this site about this, and am uncertain if the initial translation suggested to me holds true.
Thanks!

Battara · 5th July 2021, 06:54 PM

Well what ever it says, I will agree on the Yemen (Oman?) attribution with the Seal of Solomon. This style of silver filigree work is indeed what you find in Yemen with that type of leather work on back.

A possibility is that the blade might be a trade blade from elsewhere from Africa (Sudan?) or maybe India. In both places the elephant is a good omen and the script and Seal of Solomon may have been inscribed later.

Unfortunately I don't read Arabic, but I would move away from Morocco or Algeria with that form of silver filigree.

Certainly a unique and wonderful piece - thanks for posting this. Again zukran!

Kubur · 6th July 2021, 07:06 AM

Hi Shayde,

I didn't see your thread.

I think you got a lot of feedback, if you want a good translation you should ask directly to Kiwatek.

As Jim, Michael and Ibrahim said, it is a Yemeni knife, no mystery about that. The date on the coin is consistant with the knife, around 1950.

Some jambiya have Arabic inscriptions, with surats or poetry, little stars, people and animals. The elephant is not a mystery either it is related to the surat of the elephant, either it is just an African elephant, Sudan / Erythrea are just near Yemen.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=jambiya+stars

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=jambiya+stars

The only mystery to me is the blade, looks like African, maybe from Sudan.
It make sense, many Ethiopian blades were reused in Yemen.

Best,
Kubur

shayde78 · 12th July 2021, 01:48 AM

Thank you, Battara and Kabur! Ill be sure to reach out to Kiwatek.
Thanks again,
-Rob

kwiatek · 9th August 2021, 03:38 PM

I am far from sure, but I think this is, slightly misspelled,

ارجع لحولك

irja' li-hawlaka

This is the name of a popular song in the Yemen. These pieces seem to be mostly inscribed with the texts of poetry and songs. Please ask Ibrahim if he agreees and how he would translate it

5th July 2021, 06:54 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Well what ever it says, I will agree on the Yemen (Oman?) attribution with the Seal of Solomon. This style of silver filigree work is indeed what you find in Yemen with that type of leather work on back. A possibility is that the blade might be a trade blade from elsewhere from Africa (Sudan?) or maybe India. In both places the elephant is a good omen and the script and Seal of Solomon may have been inscribed later. Unfortunately I don't read Arabic, but I would move away from Morocco or Algeria with that form of silver filigree. Certainly a unique and wonderful piece - thanks for posting this. Again zukran!

6th July 2021, 07:06 AM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Shayde, I didn't see your thread. I think you got a lot of feedback, if you want a good translation you should ask directly to Kiwatek. As Jim, Michael and Ibrahim said, it is a Yemeni knife, no mystery about that. The date on the coin is consistant with the knife, around 1950. Some jambiya have Arabic inscriptions, with surats or poetry, little stars, people and animals. The elephant is not a mystery either it is related to the surat of the elephant, either it is just an African elephant, Sudan / Erythrea are just near Yemen. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=jambiya+stars http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=jambiya+stars The only mystery to me is the blade, looks like African, maybe from Sudan. It make sense, many Ethiopian blades were reused in Yemen. Best, Kubur

12th July 2021, 01:48 AM	#4
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Thank you, Battara and Kabur! Ill be sure to reach out to Kiwatek. Thanks again, -Rob

9th August 2021, 03:38 PM	#5
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 153	I am far from sure, but I think this is, slightly misspelled, ارجع لحولك irja' li-hawlaka This is the name of a popular song in the Yemen. These pieces seem to be mostly inscribed with the texts of poetry and songs. Please ask Ibrahim if he agreees and how he would translate it