The Omani Sayf. ( The Omani Straight Dancing Sword)

[AhmedH]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Ahmed; Thank you for your post and kind words but you are the maestro on Islamic Swords ...
The Dancing Sword is certainly the gift item..I think I have an example of that being presented at #1... There is another example at #29 on The Omani Shamshiirs http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...8&page=1&pp=30 of an Omani Shamshiir going to the famous Stanley of Livingstone fame... and another of French provenance being presented on the same thread at #31

The Omani Dancing Sword, howver, is often the gift item at many differing levels in Oman these days...(since so many presentations are required there is a steady stream of new ones being made for that market..gilded, framed etc etc) and of course the Khanjar is a gift item as well... and again at all levels.

Execution swords...In the early 20s in Muscat they used a caged Lion to "recycle" second offenders for very serious crime. The lion lived in a cage inside the Fort Jelali prison walls and prisoners were chained to the outside for first offences ...hopefully the threat of being chained to the inside would deter them from recommitting the crime...but, apparently, not always ...

I have no evidence of a punishment sword but there must have been some ... perhaps the big heavy backbladed curved Kattara was used... I will find out.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaams Ibrahiim,

Thanks a trillion for your kind words!

So, the "Sayf Yamaani" was also used in diplomatic gifts? I mean the "war sword".

As for executions and other dismembering punishments (that could've involved the use of the sword), one needs to know the opinion of the Ibaadhi scholars regarding certain crimes and punishments. Also, whether these punishments were ever carried out, or were compensated by indemnities, jailing, flogging, or other forms of execution; like hanging. The date may start from 751 CE till 200 years ago. You see, there were many events and incidents one could read about, like: The punishment of high treason, kidnapping, desertion, etc. Also executing prisoners of war was known at that time. Yes, a single-edged sword; whether straight or curved, may have been the type of sword used in such occasions.

Please do not think I'm pushy or anything. I was just trying to broaden the spectrum of this very important topic.

Also, please forgive my bias regarding the Sayf Yamani at the expense of the Omani dancing sword (this is clear in my obvious interest); for the fact is that I'm addicted to the Sayf Yamani;-)

Best regards,
Ahmed Helal Hussein

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by AhmedH

Salaams Ibrahiim,

Thanks a trillion for your kind words!

So, the "Sayf Yamaani" was also used in diplomatic gifts? I mean the "war sword".

As for executions and other dismembering punishments (that could've involved the use of the sword), one needs to know the opinion of the Ibaadhi scholars regarding certain crimes and punishments. Also, whether these punishments were ever carried out, or were compensated by indemnities, jailing, flogging, or other forms of execution; like hanging. The date may start from 751 CE till 200 years ago. You see, there were many events and incidents one could read about, like: The punishment of high treason, kidnapping, desertion, etc. Also executing prisoners of war was known at that time. Yes, a single-edged sword; whether straight or curved, may have been the type of sword used in such occasions.

Please do not think I'm pushy or anything. I was just trying to broaden the spectrum of this..very important topic.

Also, please forgive my bias regarding the Sayf Yamani at the expense of the Omani dancing sword (this is clear in my obvious interest); for the fact is that I'm addicted to the Sayf Yamani;-)

Best regards,
Ahmed Helal Hussein

Salaams Ahmed ~I am sure that in its day the Omani Battle Sword was much admired and that it could well have been a gift item at high levels ...and thus presented although rarely so. It was so honoured by the Omanis that they gave it the Royal Hilt treatment...in about the mid 1800s.

I can well imagine how interested you are in this weapon and since it carries the local name of Sayf Yamaani the apparent clue to where it could have been made.

When I get a chance I will view the execution weapons if there any existing in the museums etc.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[spiral]

Good day Ibrahiim,!

Are the curved battle Omani swords used for dancing as well?

Spiral

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by spiral

Good day Ibrahiim,!

Are the curved battle Omani swords used for dancing as well?

Spiral

Salaams spiral.. I am always very careful to distinguish what is meant by battle sword... The Curved European bladed Omani Kattara is both a badge of Office.. Slave Merchant Sword and Sea Captains sword for punishment and protection...and given the odd skirmish no doubt highly effective...I hesitate in using the term Battle Sword... Massed groups of men charging at each other etc etc It was never for that; The Omani Battle Sword or "Sayf Yamaani" is the true owner of that tittle. Used together with the Terrs Shield.

Your question .. The answer is yes I have pictures of this being done ... In the absence of a proper dancing sword a number of items may be used ~ camel stick, rifle, or other swords...In similar fashion in the mimic fight in the Funoon where there is no shield (Terrs...remember that the Terrs was awarded to be used with the new dancing sword at the start of the current dynasty in about 1744 but was the original "The Omani Battle Sword" partner) opponents may use a sandal in the left hand instead... However on swords in the mimic fight~ not a Kattara curved weapon ...always the flexible straight dancing sayf.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[spiral]

Thank you! Ibrahiim

spiral

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All... Whilst ploughing through library I noted Ingrams fine work on Zanzibar and upon the subject of the Omani Terrs ... The thick Buckler shield. This was used with their old battle sword The Sayf Yamaani but with the advent of the new Busaidi dynasty (still in power today ) the old shield was chosen to accompany the new dynastic flexible dancing sword for heralding the ruler and for pageants only...in about 1744. See posts #4,5,65,68,112,103.

Ingram notes at http://books.google.com.om/books?id=...smiths&f=false

Quote.''In former days many other industries must have been carried on, for instance Colonel Sykes (Climate and Productions of Zanzibar 1850 ) says :
“One branch of manufacture is carried to a considerable extent, that of round shields some 18 inches in diameter made from the hide of a Rhinoceros, which, after being soaked and boiled, can be moulded into any form.”Unquote.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

On passing ...so before I forget where I am ... these Omani shields said to have been worked in Zanzibar have a couple of geometric flat devices covering the outer shield at the 2 points where the spiggots are located holding the hand grip in place. It strikes me that these shapes reflects a certain geometry that we have observed in other Zanzibar swords... such as the Nimchas...with the odd pommel top decoration and the decorative marks on the quillon ends are similar.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi