Koummya vs Khanjar: Name Game? Maybe Not

Ian · 9th May 2025, 12:14 PM

Stu,

I deliberately left the jambiya out of discussion so as not to further confuse the issue. Yes, this is another term used to describe a double-edged, curved dagger of the same general form as the khanjar and koummya.

Rob,

I understand where you are coming from. The two sources that you quote are of the opinion that the koummya is a different dagger than a khanjar. I respect their arguments but don't necessarily agree. The koummya is double-edged along the distal third or half of the blade and has two "ricassos" of different length. These features are structurally different from most daggers described as khanjars. However, for me, these are regional differences in style rather than a fundamentally different blade. That the locals gave it a different name is important culturally, but to me it is a khanjar variant. I do use the culturally appropriate term in writing about the Moroccan knife because that is how it has come to be called, and being a localised variant I think the local name is appropriate.

I don't think there is a right or wrong way to look at the distinction between koumyya and khanjar. We collectors are always trying to classify and catalogue our items more precisely, when sometimes that's not particularly relevant. I'm not saying that is what's happening here, but often the "name game" leads nowhere.

9th May 2025, 12:14 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,397	Stu, I deliberately left the jambiya out of discussion so as not to further confuse the issue. Yes, this is another term used to describe a double-edged, curved dagger of the same general form as the khanjar and koummya. Rob, I understand where you are coming from. The two sources that you quote are of the opinion that the koummya is a different dagger than a khanjar. I respect their arguments but don't necessarily agree. The koummya is double-edged along the distal third or half of the blade and has two "ricassos" of different length. These features are structurally different from most daggers described as khanjars. However, for me, these are regional differences in style rather than a fundamentally different blade. That the locals gave it a different name is important culturally, but to me it is a khanjar variant. I do use the culturally appropriate term in writing about the Moroccan knife because that is how it has come to be called, and being a localised variant I think the local name is appropriate. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to look at the distinction between koumyya and khanjar. We collectors are always trying to classify and catalogue our items more precisely, when sometimes that's not particularly relevant. I'm not saying that is what's happening here, but often the "name game" leads nowhere.