Yemen situation

Steve · 4th June 2011, 11:43 AM

Guys,

I don’t know if I’m being premature in this comment or not, I certainly hope so, but the news coming out of Yemen on a daily basis now is very depressing. I raise this issue on the forum as I know several members are keen collectors of edged weapons from the southern Arabian Peninsula - one of the last places on this globe where a quality, cultural weapon is still worn daily.

Yemen is now caught in a fight between Government forces and followers of the Ahmars, who lead the main tribal confederation called the Hashids. A civil war - and unfortunately the most bloody fighting is in Sana’a, the capital city. It would be easier if the fighting was in some other forsaken sandy border town, but it’s not. Probably neither side is strong enough to deliver a knock- out blow.
What does this mean for us. Well, the collectors and traders in Sana’a of cultural weapons have shut up shop and buried their goods. I have seen it before where these same people have bricked their goods up in sealed (and disguised) rooms for 5-10 years until some form of Government stability re-occurs. Unfortunately when this happens the goods deteriorate. I’ve seen trunks of jambiyas each with good horn hilts all destroyed by worm over years of isolated storage, blades rusted and leather rotted. And of course , the knowledge that goes along with these weapons will be gradually lost as families disintegrate or move into survival mode. Museums could be looted.

For ourselves, as with all committed collectors, it follows that often these cultural items will need to be looked after outside, and for, their country of origin. Elgin marbles all over again? It’s a responsibility that we all have while we hold these items.
Thanks for listening. My thoughts only.
Steve

4th June 2011, 11:43 AM	#1
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Yemen situation Guys, I don’t know if I’m being premature in this comment or not, I certainly hope so, but the news coming out of Yemen on a daily basis now is very depressing. I raise this issue on the forum as I know several members are keen collectors of edged weapons from the southern Arabian Peninsula - one of the last places on this globe where a quality, cultural weapon is still worn daily. Yemen is now caught in a fight between Government forces and followers of the Ahmars, who lead the main tribal confederation called the Hashids. A civil war - and unfortunately the most bloody fighting is in Sana’a, the capital city. It would be easier if the fighting was in some other forsaken sandy border town, but it’s not. Probably neither side is strong enough to deliver a knock- out blow. What does this mean for us. Well, the collectors and traders in Sana’a of cultural weapons have shut up shop and buried their goods. I have seen it before where these same people have bricked their goods up in sealed (and disguised) rooms for 5-10 years until some form of Government stability re-occurs. Unfortunately when this happens the goods deteriorate. I’ve seen trunks of jambiyas each with good horn hilts all destroyed by worm over years of isolated storage, blades rusted and leather rotted. And of course , the knowledge that goes along with these weapons will be gradually lost as families disintegrate or move into survival mode. Museums could be looted. For ourselves, as with all committed collectors, it follows that often these cultural items will need to be looked after outside, and for, their country of origin. Elgin marbles all over again? It’s a responsibility that we all have while we hold these items. Thanks for listening. My thoughts only. Steve