KATTARA QUESTION

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Stu,
These kattara really are intriguing swords, and actually have become more present in the collecting community in about the last decade or so, before that they seem to have been pretty obscure. I agree with Teodor that the most likely explanation would be for a lanyard type wristknot, which would of course be understandable in combat situations.

It is also possible that this might have been for addition of some type of decorative or perhaps auspicious festoon. On some Islamic swords there are sometimes a string of beads, usually five, added, though I have seen some of these decorative strands with six.

What is important to note is that the Omani's were primary merchants, and affluent and status conscious individuals wore these swords much in the way the janbiyya (termed khanjhar in Oman if I understand correctly) were worn.
While this example seems somewhat simple in its present dress, the newer leather is nicely added, it may have had much more decoration before. Many of these swords had silverwork sheathing removed over time. Perhaps this now seemingly austere example might have been more decorative in times before, and the auspicious addition idea in accord.

Nice sound example of a sword which carried its influence far and wide in Arab trade sphere, from Zanzibar to caravans across the Sahara, and possibly even influencing swords there.

All best regards,
Jim

[Michael Blalock]

A nice Kattara you have there. Often these have a silver cap but here is a photo of a Sultan with a Kattara that evidently has the hole exposed and unused. You would think that if it was standard to have a lanyard the sultan would have one. It is a mystery.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Hi Stu,
These kattara really are intriguing swords, and actually have become more present in the collecting community in about the last decade or so, before that they seem to have been pretty obscure. I agree with Teodor that the most likely explanation would be for a lanyard type wristknot, which would of course be understandable in combat situations.

It is also possible that this might have been for addition of some type of decorative or perhaps auspicious festoon. On some Islamic swords there are sometimes a string of beads, usually five, added, though I have seen some of these decorative strands with six.

What is important to note is that the Omani's were primary merchants, and affluent and status conscious individuals wore these swords much in the way the janbiyya (termed khanjhar in Oman if I understand correctly) were worn.
While this example seems somewhat simple in its present dress, the newer leather is nicely added, it may have had much more decoration before. Many of these swords had silverwork sheathing removed over time. Perhaps this now seemingly austere example might have been more decorative in times before, and the auspicious addition idea in accord.

Nice sound example of a sword which carried its influence far and wide in Arab trade sphere, from Zanzibar to caravans across the Sahara, and possibly even influencing swords there.

All best regards,
Jim

Hi Jim, You are right regarding Khanjar being the correct term for the Omani dagger. I believe that they pronounce it as "KUN-JA". As you can see from the added pic, the hilt of the Kattara was just wood of some sort, and had a nasty crack running almost full length. The silver wire looked as if it had not been cleaned for a very long time and I was not even sure that it was silver until I received the piece. Thanks for your comment regarding the application of the leather. My first attempt at this and although the crisscross stitching on the back is not as straight as it could be, I think it will pass OK.
Stu

[kahnjar1]

BUMP

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Perfectly logical, but Ive never seen one. They dont use a lanyard. The sword is often thrown up in the air during dancing so...About half the kattara have the hole... the rest not. The curved Saif doesnt normally have a hole... but just to confuse the issue Im looking at a curved Omani sword that does have. I like the idea of hanging a 5 bead thing on it... 5 fingers Fatima construct...Interesting though Ive not seen that either (I will have a closer look!) So why the hole? My view is its for hanging the weapon up on a rack basically on a nail... Looking back at the earlier short job it had a hole in it forward of the Pommel high on the grip for a strap.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

My last missive seems to have vanished so...I agree it is completely logical to surmise that they use the hole for a wriststrap. However they dont. The Omani swordsmen throw the sword high in the air and I think a wrist strap on this weapon would be a hindrance. On single edged curved Omani Sayfs with a big back edge they also have no hole ... I suggest it could be a religious thing as its iron so a hole could be related to evil ...it may be simply to hang them on wall nails. Thats how we all hang them. (but I suspect its the Iron thing)
About 50% of kattara dont have a Pommel holes .
I watched 1000 tribal infantry march past on national day all with kattara and not one wrist strap... I like the idea of 5 beads hanging from the hole as that would be religious link to the five fingers of Fatima daughter of Prophet Muhammad(pbuh)... Geometrical figure 5s occur in many traditional items including Omani Jewelery, Oriental Rugs, Khanjar silver designs(some not all) architecture, woodcarving etc etc. 5 represents the constitutional building blocks ...5 cornerstone foundations of the Islamic religion.