Oman Jambiya For Comments

Andrew · 27th February 2005, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Yes, I know it was not Osama himself who funded the publication.
Some time ago we had a heated discussion about Tirri's book (also essentially a catalog of private collection).Compared to the Saudi collection of full page color pictures, Tirri's one was an academic masterpiece!
For me the two books by Astvatsaturyan (on Caucasian and Turkish weapons) are the gold standard. Pity they are not available in English! What about Elgood's books on Arabian and Indian weapons? Van Zonnenweld's on Indonesian weapons? Gutowski's book on Tatar weapons? Chodynski's on Persian weapons?
It IS possible to publish a first rate book combining both academic rigor and good pictures: all is needed is a combination of a reasonably generous publisher and a dedicated academically-oriented researcher. No millions from Bin Ladin and his ilk can compensate for the writer's appaling lack of professionalism.

Ariel, feel free to discuss the relative merits of any source here. However, this forum is apolitical and I am charged with maintaining that status.

Comments about Osama Bin Laden are, by definition, political and unwelcome. I will lock this thread unless the discussion returns to the topic at hand immediately.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 25th January 2014, 04:41 PM

Salaams All ; Note to Library... Just sweeping through the library I noticed this dagger. This is the Habaabi variant~ an odd fellow indeed. What is this dagger which looks very like the Omani style doing in Saudia ? Actually it appears to mimic the Muscat Khanjar not the Royal Omani Khanjar. It may be remembered that Sheherazad one of the wives of Saiid Sultan of Oman who ruled 1804 to 1856 designed a new hilt in about 1850 that incorporated with the "7 ringer" Muscat Scabbard became the Royal Khanjar "Saidiyyah"

The original style of 7 ringer, Muscat Khanjar continued with the TEE shaped hilt. It is the Tee Shaped Hilt Muscat Khanjar that we see reflected in this Saudia design.

The design probably flowed from Oman to the Habaabi region via sea trade as the Habaabi regions coastal belt was in continuous trade with Zanzibar and Oman. At the time the region was part of the Yemen but was absorbed by Saudia in the early 1920s...The weapon stayed put. Khanjars from that region with Saudia crossed swords were made after the area was absorbed. The project item at #1 looks to be about 30 years old.

Thus The Habaabi Khanjar.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

spiral · 25th January 2014, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

. The project item at #1 looks to be about 30 years old.
.

Not much older than this thread then!

Seriously though that looks a hand filling & sturdy hilt.

Its also Thicker than the Yemini Sanna T hilts Ive seen..

spiral

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 26th January 2014, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

Not much older than this thread then!

Seriously though that looks a hand filling & sturdy hilt.

Its also Thicker than the Yemini Sanna T hilts Ive seen..

spiral

Salaams spiral Haha! Quite.

The problem is in trying to pinpoint the place Habbaabi...which I think isn't Habbaabi but Abha the capital of the Asir region in Saudi Arabia misconstrued to become the adopted name of this weapon Habbaabi.(Abhaabi?) Abha was ruled by the Ottoman Empire until World War I. In 1920, the Wahhabis took control of the city lead by their leader, 'Abd al-Aziz ibn Sa'ud thus it is now part of the KSA. The likely influential seaport serving the region is Jazan or Jizan the second biggest of the nations seaports.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

25th January 2014, 04:41 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams All ; Note to Library... Just sweeping through the library I noticed this dagger. This is the Habaabi variant~ an odd fellow indeed. What is this dagger which looks very like the Omani style doing in Saudia ? Actually it appears to mimic the Muscat Khanjar not the Royal Omani Khanjar. It may be remembered that Sheherazad one of the wives of Saiid Sultan of Oman who ruled 1804 to 1856 designed a new hilt in about 1850 that incorporated with the "7 ringer" Muscat Scabbard became the Royal Khanjar "Saidiyyah" The original style of 7 ringer, Muscat Khanjar continued with the TEE shaped hilt. It is the Tee Shaped Hilt Muscat Khanjar that we see reflected in this Saudia design. The design probably flowed from Oman to the Habaabi region via sea trade as the Habaabi regions coastal belt was in continuous trade with Zanzibar and Oman. At the time the region was part of the Yemen but was absorbed by Saudia in the early 1920s...The weapon stayed put. Khanjars from that region with Saudia crossed swords were made after the area was absorbed. The project item at #1 looks to be about 30 years old. Thus The Habaabi Khanjar. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.