The Omani Shamshiir.

TVV · 3rd June 2025, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excalibur2025

I just wondered, what was each type of sword used for and who would have used it?

It seems like the shamshir was an effective sword for cavalry and also used as a badge of office for royals and senior military commanders. The kattara also seems to have had a ceremonial function, but was it also used for fighting? And I assume the nimcha was used used by rank and file foot soldiers?

These are good questions. Swords in Oman and Zanzibar may have indeed been used to denote status and/or rank.

Stephane Pradines has suggested that the shamshirs in Oman and along Eastern Africa were reserved for persons of very high rank, such as sultans, emirs and viziers. There is a photo in Hales that shows a vizier from the Comoros with a shamshir. This may explain their relative rarity.

The cylindrical hilt saif is the sword most likely to have been the rank and file sword. It is the most common, including in museum collections. For more on that sword I recommend "Ancient Weapons of Oman" by Vincenzo Clarizia, Vol.1 where all the edged weapons are discussed.

Then we get to the "nimchas" and here things get a bit more obscure. In the aforementioned photo in Hales, the vizier's guards are holding nimchas. Here is a link to a thread I started for the purpose of studying these swords in more detail, which show additional photos of people with nimchas (and some other swords):

http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28273

I wonder if the nimcha was in some manner the sword of guards or other officials. At this point, unfortunately I cannot make a conclusion in this regard with any degree of certainty.

Jim McDougall · 4th June 2025, 02:32 AM

For what its worth, in my view, as mentioned earlier responding to the question on the 'nimcha' of Mwinyi Mkuu, the sword depicted in likely a combination of a nimcha hilt with Persian crossguard and not a 'form' itself.

Regarding the prescribed 'use' of sword forms by certain groups and for which uses, while of course there were some 'guidelines', there were not 'rules'.

As Teodor has noted, as I mentioned also in my previous post, the shamshir was a prestigious weapon not only in Oman and Zanzibar but in India and Central Asia. While obviously high end sabers of high quality, there were of course examples of lesser quality used by those of various station, though not likely rank and file.

The nimchas also are known in varied forms with similar hilt and quillon systems, and again in more ornate examples often high end swords of office or station, while simpler examples can be found in general use.

The cylindrical appearing hilt is a bit more complex, and though these have become known as kattara, the local term is simply sa'if. The kitara term applies to swords with this type hilt, but curved blade.

These straight blade sa'if with cylindrical open hilt seem to have evolved around 1800 from earlier swords of Omans interior (Nizwa) with quillons and other similar features. While these open hilt swords often with European broadsword blades and often embellished hilts and scabbards were again, worn as status symbols by Omani merchants into Zanzibar and the interior on trade expeditions, they were not used for fighting (Burton, 1884).

In the Busaidi dynasty in Zanzibar post 1820s, these open hilt broadswords with cylindrical hilts, were produced and used in ceremonial functions, including remarkably impressive demonstrations of swordsmanship. They were basic swords, but not used in combat. This was noted by Burton, a well known swordsman, that he could not imagine this type of sword used in combat.

Just my views of what often become highly contentious topics. Like Teodor, Ive spent 'a few years' studying these.

First example, munitions grade ceremonial sa'if
next, the 'kitara' with somewhat curved shorter blade

TVV · 4th June 2025, 05:52 AM

It is a contentious topic Jim, and I completely disagree with you on the cylindrical hilt swords, as I am sure you know well by now. I will leave it at that.

Jim McDougall · 4th June 2025, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVV

It is a contentious topic Jim, and I completely disagree with you on the cylindrical hilt swords, as I am sure you know well by now. I will leave it at that.

No problem Teodor

I of course remember, and was hesitant as I placed my notes, as the contentious situation with these has remained so, and very much unresolved. Knowing that you have researched these for as many years as I, perhaps even more, I think there is room for equitable explanation as there is no edged weapon I know of produced soundly with solid components that cannot be used in various circumstances.

Grateful for the gracious response, I will also leave it there as well.

4th June 2025, 02:32 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	For what its worth, in my view, as mentioned earlier responding to the question on the 'nimcha' of Mwinyi Mkuu, the sword depicted in likely a combination of a nimcha hilt with Persian crossguard and not a 'form' itself. Regarding the prescribed 'use' of sword forms by certain groups and for which uses, while of course there were some 'guidelines', there were not 'rules'. As Teodor has noted, as I mentioned also in my previous post, the shamshir was a prestigious weapon not only in Oman and Zanzibar but in India and Central Asia. While obviously high end sabers of high quality, there were of course examples of lesser quality used by those of various station, though not likely rank and file. The nimchas also are known in varied forms with similar hilt and quillon systems, and again in more ornate examples often high end swords of office or station, while simpler examples can be found in general use. The cylindrical appearing hilt is a bit more complex, and though these have become known as kattara, the local term is simply sa'if. The kitara term applies to swords with this type hilt, but curved blade. These straight blade sa'if with cylindrical open hilt seem to have evolved around 1800 from earlier swords of Omans interior (Nizwa) with quillons and other similar features. While these open hilt swords often with European broadsword blades and often embellished hilts and scabbards were again, worn as status symbols by Omani merchants into Zanzibar and the interior on trade expeditions, they were not used for fighting (Burton, 1884). In the Busaidi dynasty in Zanzibar post 1820s, these open hilt broadswords with cylindrical hilts, were produced and used in ceremonial functions, including remarkably impressive demonstrations of swordsmanship. They were basic swords, but not used in combat. This was noted by Burton, a well known swordsman, that he could not imagine this type of sword used in combat. Just my views of what often become highly contentious topics. Like Teodor, Ive spent 'a few years' studying these. First example, munitions grade ceremonial sa'if next, the 'kitara' with somewhat curved shorter blade Attached Images

4th June 2025, 05:52 AM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,664	It is a contentious topic Jim, and I completely disagree with you on the cylindrical hilt swords, as I am sure you know well by now. I will leave it at that.