The Omani Khanjar

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th February 2017, 07:57 PM

The oldest Omani Khanjar seen so far here...Rhino Hilt Baatinah Coast said to be from Musanah probably a port and slaving station for Rustaq. Dated and signed; In itself a remarkable find since only Masters signed their work and dated late 19th Century...19/11/88. Some wear damage to the decorated lower scabbard. Narrow dagger blade. Unusual belt buckle. Massive scabbard.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th February 2017, 08:19 PM

The second weapon arriving with the Khanjar at the post above, with similar decoration and Rhino Hilt and from the same source; possibly the same makers workshop. Again a quite narrow blade with two small fullers at the throat. Minor wear damage in the main scabbard decoration. Flat ended crown.I would normally expect to see silver pins in this Hilt and indeed this silver plate may be a replacement..

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 21st February 2017, 07:59 PM

Here I can place both weapons together to compare...Currently the confusion over the dated weapon is gathering steam since after the date is the word Hijri...indicating an Islamic date ...? but the date is rolled out as 88/11/19...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 22nd February 2017, 11:14 PM

I NEVER SAW A DATE FORMATTED LIKE ON THAT KHANJAR...

It appears from right to left but in arabic numerals 88 / 11 / 19 with the word hijri in old arabic...certainly old omani arabic... It cannot be late 20th century since the wear on it is much older than that ... I suspect 19thC. Now could the date be one of those puzzles with numbers... 19 minus 11 is 8 , 8x 11 = 88... It happens to be a day after national day ..Coincidence?... Could it be the date of the placement of a new hilt... ? It is, after all, inscribed on the hilt..which may well be a later addition, We may never know... Any ideas?

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th March 2017, 12:59 PM

There is in fact a traditional dance in the Funun called the Barah described as
below~
Quote"Al-Barah is a Bedouin musical tradition from the Dhofar mountains in southern Oman. It takes the form of a warlike dance performed to drums and the chanting of poetry in a local tribal dialect. Al-Barah is performed in a half circle formed by ten to thirty men and women. As they chant and clap, two male dancers holding khanjars (daggers) perform codified dance movements, brandishing their daggers above shoulder level. The dancers steps are uncomplicated, but coordination with other performers and the music requires considerable skill. Each tribe has its own characteristic form of al-Barah, possessing different drum rhythms and dance movements. The musical accompaniment is provided by the al-kasir, al-rahmâni and ad-daff drums and al-qassaba flute. The dance is performed outdoors, on occasions such as weddings, circumcisions and religious feasts. As for other Omani Bedouin dances, class and other distinctions are erased, as tribal leaders perform alongside the most humble of the population. The tradition represents the chivalric spirit, strength, courage, generosity and hospitality associated with Bedouins. The dance also emphasizes poetic themes of love and flirtation. Al-Barah has many practitioners from Dhofar, who contribute to maintaining and transmitting its poetic variety and practice.''Unquote.

The above from http://www.unesco.org/archives/multi...etails&id=1694 which also has a video for interest. In fact it is also practiced in the Sharqiyyah and in Yemen I understand.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 31st March 2017, 01:12 PM

I was impressed by a Royal Khanjar I saw at the Zubair Museum in Muscat and show that below...It may be noted that the hilt although mostly shrouded behind silver decoration is Rhino but that this is a material greatly liked not only because of the inherent strength and fearlessness for which it was famous but because the horn itself can accept lots of securing silver pins without cracking. Many weapons are being made these days with recycled old hilts or composite high density compounds which are just as strong and pliable. You will recall that it was one of Saiid The Great's wives who invented several adornments on her husbands behalf or to brighten his day thus the following were her contribution; The Royal Khanjar Hilt, The Royal Turban, The Royal Camerbund, The Iconic Battle Sword Royal Hilt, and probably the Omani Dancing Sword.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 13th July 2017, 01:21 PM

For a detailed paper on The Omani Khanjar see https://espace.curtin.edu.au/bitstre...pdf?sequence=2

19th February 2017, 07:57 PM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The oldest Omani Khanjar seen so far here...Rhino Hilt Baatinah Coast said to be from Musanah probably a port and slaving station for Rustaq. Dated and signed; In itself a remarkable find since only Masters signed their work and dated late 19th Century...19/11/88. Some wear damage to the decorated lower scabbard. Narrow dagger blade. Unusual belt buckle. Massive scabbard. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 19th February 2017 at 08:57 PM.

19th February 2017, 08:19 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The second weapon arriving with the Khanjar at the post above, with similar decoration and Rhino Hilt and from the same source; possibly the same makers workshop. Again a quite narrow blade with two small fullers at the throat. Minor wear damage in the main scabbard decoration. Flat ended crown.I would normally expect to see silver pins in this Hilt and indeed this silver plate may be a replacement.. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 19th February 2017 at 08:34 PM.

21st February 2017, 07:59 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Here I can place both weapons together to compare...Currently the confusion over the dated weapon is gathering steam since after the date is the word Hijri...indicating an Islamic date ...? but the date is rolled out as 88/11/19... Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 21st February 2017 at 08:10 PM.

22nd February 2017, 11:14 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I NEVER SAW A DATE FORMATTED LIKE ON THAT KHANJAR... It appears from right to left but in arabic numerals 88 / 11 / 19 with the word hijri in old arabic...certainly old omani arabic... It cannot be late 20th century since the wear on it is much older than that ... I suspect 19thC. Now could the date be one of those puzzles with numbers... 19 minus 11 is 8 , 8x 11 = 88... It happens to be a day after national day ..Coincidence?... Could it be the date of the placement of a new hilt... ? It is, after all, inscribed on the hilt..which may well be a later addition, We may never know... Any ideas? Attached Images

28th March 2017, 12:59 PM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Khanjar Dance; Barah. There is in fact a traditional dance in the Funun called the Barah described as below~ Quote"Al-Barah is a Bedouin musical tradition from the Dhofar mountains in southern Oman. It takes the form of a warlike dance performed to drums and the chanting of poetry in a local tribal dialect. Al-Barah is performed in a half circle formed by ten to thirty men and women. As they chant and clap, two male dancers holding khanjars (daggers) perform codified dance movements, brandishing their daggers above shoulder level. The dancers steps are uncomplicated, but coordination with other performers and the music requires considerable skill. Each tribe has its own characteristic form of al-Barah, possessing different drum rhythms and dance movements. The musical accompaniment is provided by the al-kasir, al-rahmâni and ad-daff drums and al-qassaba flute. The dance is performed outdoors, on occasions such as weddings, circumcisions and religious feasts. As for other Omani Bedouin dances, class and other distinctions are erased, as tribal leaders perform alongside the most humble of the population. The tradition represents the chivalric spirit, strength, courage, generosity and hospitality associated with Bedouins. The dance also emphasizes poetic themes of love and flirtation. Al-Barah has many practitioners from Dhofar, who contribute to maintaining and transmitting its poetic variety and practice.''Unquote. The above from http://www.unesco.org/archives/multi...etails&id=1694 which also has a video for interest. In fact it is also practiced in the Sharqiyyah and in Yemen I understand.

31st March 2017, 01:12 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I was impressed by a Royal Khanjar I saw at the Zubair Museum in Muscat and show that below...It may be noted that the hilt although mostly shrouded behind silver decoration is Rhino but that this is a material greatly liked not only because of the inherent strength and fearlessness for which it was famous but because the horn itself can accept lots of securing silver pins without cracking. Many weapons are being made these days with recycled old hilts or composite high density compounds which are just as strong and pliable. You will recall that it was one of Saiid The Great's wives who invented several adornments on her husbands behalf or to brighten his day thus the following were her contribution; The Royal Khanjar Hilt, The Royal Turban, The Royal Camerbund, The Iconic Battle Sword Royal Hilt, and probably the Omani Dancing Sword. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 31st March 2017 at 01:28 PM.

13th July 2017, 01:21 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	For a detailed paper on The Omani Khanjar see https://espace.curtin.edu.au/bitstre...pdf?sequence=2