Mechanical Damascus Koumya Blade

RobT · 4th May 2024, 04:49 AM

Sajen,

I think what we have here is two different definitions of tourist koumya. I wouldn’t classify any of the five pieces you show as tourist and would be quite happy to have like items in my collection (especially the last one). If a koumyia is well and traditionally made but is so expensive that the primary market is rich tourists doesn’t mean that it is a tourist piece because a Moroccan would be happy to buy and wear it as well…if he could afford it. To me, a Moroccan would be happy to wear all of the pieces you show. I think that all of them (with the very possible exception of the last one which may be 19th century) are 20th century and the first one you show is the least good one of the lot, but I don’t think any of them should be called tourist. To me, tourist means a cheaply and sloppily made pastiche of a traditional form with the only skill in its making being the ability to churn it out as quickly and with as little effort as possible. To me, tourist pieces have an almost contemptuous lack of quality. As if to say, “only a tourist would be ignorant enough to buy this piece of garbage because no person of our culture would be caught dead with it”.

Sincerely,
RobT

Ian · 5th May 2024, 12:50 AM

Rob,

I think you have hit on a subject that we all think we know about but lacks definition. What is meant by a "tourist"item? You have emphasised that these are low quality items produced in quatity. Others have used the term to mean highly decorative pieces, often with "non-functional" blades (blunt or low quality metal or roughly finished, etc.). In either case, there is a disparaging connotation which, you rightly point out, is not always justified. If a local would be happy to carry it, is it really a "tourist" piece? Good question.

4th May 2024, 04:49 AM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 456	Not Tourist To Me Sajen, I think what we have here is two different definitions of tourist koumya. I wouldn’t classify any of the five pieces you show as tourist and would be quite happy to have like items in my collection (especially the last one). If a koumyia is well and traditionally made but is so expensive that the primary market is rich tourists doesn’t mean that it is a tourist piece because a Moroccan would be happy to buy and wear it as well…if he could afford it. To me, a Moroccan would be happy to wear all of the pieces you show. I think that all of them (with the very possible exception of the last one which may be 19th century) are 20th century and the first one you show is the least good one of the lot, but I don’t think any of them should be called tourist. To me, tourist means a cheaply and sloppily made pastiche of a traditional form with the only skill in its making being the ability to churn it out as quickly and with as little effort as possible. To me, tourist pieces have an almost contemptuous lack of quality. As if to say, “only a tourist would be ignorant enough to buy this piece of garbage because no person of our culture would be caught dead with it”. Sincerely, RobT

5th May 2024, 12:50 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,044	Rob, I think you have hit on a subject that we all think we know about but lacks definition. What is meant by a "tourist"item? You have emphasised that these are low quality items produced in quatity. Others have used the term to mean highly decorative pieces, often with "non-functional" blades (blunt or low quality metal or roughly finished, etc.). In either case, there is a disparaging connotation which, you rightly point out, is not always justified. If a local would be happy to carry it, is it really a "tourist" piece? Good question.