The Omani Sayf. ( The Omani Straight Dancing Sword)

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

What is significant about the sketch is ...straight dancing swords.. pushing the envelope for known swords of such description as far as 1840 and toward the benchmark date of 1744. It also illustrates the sword as unchanged.

These are Omani guard soldiers and carry the main weapon the abu futtila. So why do they have straight swords in their possession. The casual eye of the onlooker/artist would probably consider these as weapons but they are not. Like any soldier / officer today in the West there are those that are issued or own their own swords but carried only for the traditional parade ... for marching past the ruler / dignitary/ commander and for parade ground duties. When I say soldier I mean mounted cavalry ...although for infantry in the west the officers and certain high ranking senior NCO's also carry swords on parade... for the exact same reasons. Thus it was in 1840 and before, that Omani guards carried these swords since they would often be required to draw them in praise for the ruler and for pageantry duty.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

I have no doubt swords were used in parade, danced and for salute etc in 1840.

I do however doubt the picture can quantify that these are flimsy dance swords alone, especially in the era of 1840 and that there are no other swords present in the image.

The practical flip side to your suggestion, after all 1840 was an era or practicality not excess, is that these are the fighting swords and bucklers used by these guard soldiers after the use of a rifle has past...after all there are no other swords pictured and these swords are in the hands and on the belts of these warrior guards.
What were they to do if they are guards and they can not defend because they have bending dance swords as a secondary defence after the rifle was shot and combat became close quarters... Surely not stop a threat with words...guards are meant to be at the ready at all times so it makes more sense that those pictured were their weapons as a guard would not be without an edged weapon in 1840.

Fighting swords that can equally be used to dance and pay tribute but by primary needs alone and the presence of no other swords, it makes more sense as guards have sword that work not dance with bends....

Gavin

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by SwordsAntiqueWeapons

I have no doubt swords were used in parade, danced and for salute etc in 1840.

I do however doubt the picture can quantify that these are flimsy dance swords alone, especially in the era of 1840 and that there are no other swords present in the image.

The practical flip side to your suggestion, after all 1840 was an era or practicality not excess, is that these are the fighting swords and bucklers used by these guard soldiers after the use of a rifle has past...after all there are no other swords pictured and these swords are in the hands and on the belts of these warrior guards.
What were they to do if they are guards and they can not defend because they have bending dance swords as a secondary defence after the rifle was shot and combat became close quarters... Surely not stop a threat with words...guards are meant to be at the ready at all times so it makes more sense that those pictured were their weapons as a guard would not be without an edged weapon in 1840.

Fighting swords that can equally be used to dance and pay tribute but by primary needs alone and the presence of no other swords, it makes more sense as guards have sword that work not dance with bends....

Gavin

Salaams SwordsAntiqueWeapons ~ You suppose an awful lot from a sketch.

You have to realise that this is the earliest document with a sketch I can dig up from any resource so far... I have no qualms about bringing this to table since it fits perfectly my description.

The huge historical mass of information I have built up is behind the real reason for the sword being carried ... what I have done is to prove the authenticity of the artist who has captured long haired tribals at Muscat... as known and titled Guards of The Immam of Muscat in 1841. I have illustrated similar tribals in the form of Ibn Gabaisha and bin Kabina who look remarkable similar in 1950. I therefor think that the illustrated sketch is authentic but of course it cannot be relied upon to speak... Its just a sketch.

I interpret it quite differently since I know that this sword is only and was only for Pageants and as described in the national archives and Museums as such. Not for fighting ... Pageants only. Quite rightly it is shown on guards of the Immam at Muscat. What is not shown are other blades or spears and other guns save what we see. No other written detail is available.

You are not the first to be hoodwinked by this sword... but by only taking it on at face value you have automatically fallen into the same trap as the 19th C. European visitors did.. into thinking like them, that this was a battle sword. It's not. It was only for Pageants.

Compouned in that mistake you have mistaken a recent rehilt as a battle sword version of this Pageantry item, however, that is shown as a souk mixture of a Red Sea Variant, tang extension, Omani scabbard and Omani long hilt. A (from) 1970 Muttrah Special.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams SwordsAntiqueWeapons ~ You suppose an awful lot from a sketch.

Hello.

No more than yourself using the drawing as supporting documentation for the sword being a dance sword and carried by guards....makes no sense

I must add, hence the personal invitation to attend a visit, that nothing is being taken at face value but as detailed examination of what I have here and others handled...the only hoodwinking going on is the absolute belief they do not exisit from antiquity

I and others I know have failed to be convinced with such little concrete evidence being bought to the table and resources out side of your country only now being looked in to but from afar. I do not need to travel, I have seen the rubbish from the souks and yourself being asked, have not yet bought a creadible dressed up souk sword to look like one from the past, because there are so many things they can not do to make this happen to support your claims.

I can't fault your passion and faith but the subject should have been explored a lot more and with concrete evidience after examing a 100 or more swords in and out side of your country before claiming absolutely what you do.

Peace brother

Gavin

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by SwordsAntiqueWeapons

Hello.

No more than yourself using the drawing as supporting documentation for the sword being a dance sword and carried by guards....makes no sense

I must add, hence the personal invitation to attend a visit, that nothing is being taken at face value but as detailed examination of what I have here and others handled...the only hoodwinking going on is the absolute belief they do not exisit from antiquity

I and others I know have failed to be convinced with such little concrete evidence being bought to the table and resources out side of your country only now being looked in to but from afar. I do not need to travel, I have seen the rubbish from the souks and yourself being asked, have not yet bought a creadible dressed up souk sword to look like one from the past, because there are so many things they can not do to make this happen to support your claims.

I can't fault your passion and faith but the subject should have been explored a lot more and with concrete evidience after examing a 100 or more swords in and out side of your country before claiming absolutely what you do.

Peace brother

Gavin

Salaams SwordsAntiqueWeapons, In 1744 the new (and current) Dynasty required that a sword be carried by all able bodied men with which to salute in march past and in pageants the countries ruler. This sword was to carry with it the Terrs Shield. It was to be the sword used in the Funoon and mimic fighting displays as well as other traditions and displayed at civic meetings and weddings. Based on the Old Omani Battle Sword it had a round tip and in honour of the forefathers was to be razor sharp and two edged. The hilt; the Omani Long Hilt. Notwithstanding these attributes it had to be flexible; bending easily from the tip through 90 degrees and returning immediately to straight.

Since then some western visitors recorded this weapon as a real war sword. Geary, Wellstead, Frazer and others commented on the weapons apparent ability and in the hands of such excellent swordsmen the item could easily chop a man in half etc etc. The notion became concretized as fact when, actually, it was only a dancing sword. (It still has an important place in Omani Traditions and many are handed down Heirlooms of some value.) To compound the issue it is used in mimic fighting in the Funoon; The unwritten, passed down, Omani Traditions which soldiers and people have performed throughout history from the beginnings of Ibathi Islam here.

I'm not sure that examining blades outside Oman makes any difference.. I have done locally in the UAE.. if that qualifies ? but since I am here, in Oman, researching on the ground this national sword in the country of its birth...I think I am properly positioned. I have identified the route of Red Sea Blades spuriously masquerading as Omani Swords, thus, I know the workshops ~ something I would be blissfully unaware of as an outsider. It looks like the game is up on these imposters but I can assure you that if the slightest scrap of evidence appears in support of your idea I will post it immediately.

The 1841 drawing of Omani Tribal soldiers Guards of the Imam of Muscat.
Although this is just a drawing I believe it is very accurate. They would have used the sword daily as they came into contact with dignitaries and the Ruling Family all the time... Imam/Sultan meetings would have been very regular. What we cannot see is other weapons like spears and daggers. It is only a sketch but underlines the straight sword as being carried by this type of Royal/Imam Guard group. It shows that the basic straight sword scabbard and Terrs have not changed.

You have confused the introduction of a straight blade, non flexible, post 1970 from Europe, Ethiopia, Yemen and changed in Mutrah, mixed with an Omani Long Hilt and Scabbard and made to look Omani. On my next trip to Mutrah I will shoot some other examples of such weapons and hopefully the maker can show me an album of weapons he has sold under this guise...but I doubt it. There are, however, usually a few in his store and others. I believe the number of such mixes runs to the thousands(from one store alone!) since they have been churning them out for over 40 years.. Even if they only sold 5 a week it looks like about 2,500 have entered the world markets...held in estates...collections...looking very real but ...

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams all~ Some silver work on a dancing sword... In the Nizwa style of typical "Arabesque" (a clue to the dancing sword blade manufacture?) The other known mass production centres are Salalah and Ras al Khaiymah. Zutoot or Gypsy wandering groups also were responsible for many blades made on commission pre. 1970.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All, Note to Library.

It is extraordinary but only about a handful of antique sketches seem to exist showing Omani militia with weapons and equipment. Amongst the kit is the Dynastic straight dancing sword. Even European military Officers today carry swords on parade to do something very similar for VIPs and Royalty (there is even a special Royal Salute) Here is such a "weapon" The Omani Sayf. The Omani Dancing Sword also used at pageants (The Funoon) weddings and most importantly at tribal march pasts where the sword is raised high and buzzed in the air and even thrown high and caught by the performers. Here shown with Terrs the traditional shield, the Khanjar dagger and long gun; The Abu Futtilla (The one with the match).

Since saluting and pageantry was very much part of a soldiers daily life it is not surprising to see the item carried as part of their equipment.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[AhmedH]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams All, Note to Library.

It is extraordinary but only about a handful of antique sketches seem to exist showing Omani militia with weapons and equipment. Amongst the kit is the Dynastic straight dancing sword. Even European military Officers today carry swords on parade to do something very similar for VIPs and Royalty (there is even a special Royal Salute) Here is such a "weapon" The Omani Sayf. The Omani Dancing Sword also used at pageants (The Funoon) weddings and most importantly at tribal march pasts where the sword is raised high and buzzed in the air and even thrown high and caught by the performers. Here shown with Terrs the traditional shield, the Khanjar dagger and long gun; The Abu Futtilla (The one with the match).

Since saluting and pageantry was very much part of a soldiers daily life it is not surprising to see the item carried as part of their equipment.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaams Ibrahiim,

Thank you very much for this beautiful post containing very important information.

Another note you could add would be whether the Omani sword was used in executing certain punishment to criminals committing certain crimes, and how did these swords differ fro other war or dancing swords.

Another important thing could also be the use of the sword in diplomatic gifts: Which Omani swords were usually given as gifts; from the monarchs to their outstanding subordinates, and between the monarchs themselves (Omani and foreigner)?

Frankly, I find you an encyclopedia; not just in Omani swords, but also in swords of nations that have shores on the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

Best regards,
Ahmed Helal Hussein