Kattara for comments

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th November 2011, 01:32 PM

Salaams ~ as a bi-product of this research I have just discovered a rather remarkable fact from a book I knew I had to read by Ronald Codrai called Abu Dhabi, An Arabian Album; about life in the 50s and 60s. It is a superb collection of mid 20th C Photos however more specific to the subject of Kattara on page 86, 87 shows the Razha sword fighting ritual to the drum beat and on page 191 a sword dance using a curved sword. In fact the curved sword appears in the page 86 and 87 pictures going up against a straight Kattara in the mimic combat ritual. Not only was the dance performed at Eid but at social occasions, weddings and circumcision.

What is fascinating to note from the pictures is that in the absence of the Terrs Buckler Shield exponents simply used a sandal as the shield...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Iain · 13th November 2011, 07:56 PM

A question for all our old style kattara owners...

Going back to the first page of this thread and TVV's sword... There is a blade marking I'm interested in.

http://vikingsword.com/vb/attachment...id=47563&stc=1

I've seen it on a few long kattara and one short old style kattara. I'm wondering if there are other cases on the short swords.

There is a reason I'm asking which I'll reveal in due time if there's enough info and other examples out there to make something of it.

Michael Blalock · 13th November 2011, 11:01 PM

I have it on this new style kattara

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 14th November 2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

I have it on this new style kattara

Salaams Michael ~ please show if possible the full sword ~ Is this a Maroon مرن (flexible) sword...or stiff. Does it have a spatula end or point. Initially it looks like a blade strike made after manufacture... any other marks? Regards Ibrahiim
p.s. please note Jims sticky/classic thread? on European forum # 38 and 43 and 66 mainly outlining Peter Cull marks but I suspect the mark to your item is placed afterwards.

Iain · 14th November 2011, 05:10 PM

Thanks for posting Michael. The reason I'm interested in this mark is that I've previously commented on the intriguing superficial similarities between wide native made takouba blades and the old style Omani kattara.

I noticed these little cross marks on kattara the other day and was immediately reminded of an obscure, but possible mark on a takouba blade of mine. It might just be the most oddly shaped bit of pitting, but the similarities struck me.

I am probably shooting in the dark here and my "mark" could be nothing at all. But I like to dream a little sometimes!

Cheers,

Iain

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 14th November 2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Thanks for posting Michael. The reason I'm interested in this mark is that I've previously commented on the intriguing superficial similarities between wide native made takouba blades and the old style Omani kattara.

I noticed these little cross marks on kattara the other day and was immediately reminded of an obscure, but possible mark on a takouba blade of mine. It might just be the most oddly shaped bit of pitting, but the similarities struck me.

I am probably shooting in the dark here and my "mark" could be nothing at all. But I like to dream a little sometimes!

Cheers,

Iain

Salaams Iain, Its a bit out of line centrally so I think its an accidental, possibly combat strike but interesting. Just looking at Islamic decorative style on rugs to compare with possible blade marks the cross is used extensively in rug making and appears to represent candle light.. as a welcoming sign. It occurs in Hachlu door hanging rugs and elsewhere on the silkroad. Ibrahiim al Balooshi.
ps These blades like the one at Michaels appear to be thick non flexible but I await a full photo..

Michael Blalock · 14th November 2011, 10:51 PM

Ibrahiim,
There are some photos on the following post.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4328

There is another symbol on the other side. I will try and post a better photo later. And yes blade is quite stiff but it is long, and sharp as a razor. The wire work on the hilt is amazing.

13th November 2011, 11:01 PM	#3
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	I have it on this new style kattara Attached Images

14th November 2011, 05:10 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Thanks for posting Michael. The reason I'm interested in this mark is that I've previously commented on the intriguing superficial similarities between wide native made takouba blades and the old style Omani kattara. I noticed these little cross marks on kattara the other day and was immediately reminded of an obscure, but possible mark on a takouba blade of mine. It might just be the most oddly shaped bit of pitting, but the similarities struck me. I am probably shooting in the dark here and my "mark" could be nothing at all. But I like to dream a little sometimes! Cheers, Iain Attached Images

11th November 2011, 01:32 PM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams ~ as a bi-product of this research I have just discovered a rather remarkable fact from a book I knew I had to read by Ronald Codrai called Abu Dhabi, An Arabian Album; about life in the 50s and 60s. It is a superb collection of mid 20th C Photos however more specific to the subject of Kattara on page 86, 87 shows the Razha sword fighting ritual to the drum beat and on page 191 a sword dance using a curved sword. In fact the curved sword appears in the page 86 and 87 pictures going up against a straight Kattara in the mimic combat ritual. Not only was the dance performed at Eid but at social occasions, weddings and circumcision. What is fascinating to note from the pictures is that in the absence of the Terrs Buckler Shield exponents simply used a sandal as the shield... Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

13th November 2011, 07:56 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	A question for all our old style kattara owners... Going back to the first page of this thread and TVV's sword... There is a blade marking I'm interested in. http://vikingsword.com/vb/attachment...id=47563&stc=1 I've seen it on a few long kattara and one short old style kattara. I'm wondering if there are other cases on the short swords. There is a reason I'm asking which I'll reveal in due time if there's enough info and other examples out there to make something of it.

14th November 2011, 10:51 PM	#7
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Ibrahiim, There are some photos on the following post. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4328 There is another symbol on the other side. I will try and post a better photo later. And yes blade is quite stiff but it is long, and sharp as a razor. The wire work on the hilt is amazing.