The Omani Khanjar

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 25th September 2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams all; Note to library;

The extremely rare Omani decorated pipe and tobacco container. Tobacco is grown locally in Oman and can be obtained in plastic empty water bottles in the souk! I am told it is very strong stuff. Rather an understatement as one puff is enough to knock over a horse !

The tobacco holder made from Gazelle horn and silver adorned with a variety of lucky motifs and mathematical charms, bells and trinkets and the pipe mirroring the figure 5 ~ with 5 rings on the stem. Silver representing the moon is in itself talismanic. Mastercrafted by an Omani silversmith. Usually worn looping over the belt or Khanjar. Readers will recall the other uses of Gazelle horn as gunpowder flasks and on the weavers loom to "ram" the wool.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaams all ~ Apparently the best tobacco is grown locally and the top stuff is from the Omani Baatinah Coast ~ from Shinas. It is purchased in empty water bottles. Lighting and smoking is done in one hit... and would revive the dead (or knock out a horse!) Strong stuff !!
Here is another style of tobacco container; this time all silver. The second picture is the Mukhallah or Kohl (antimony paste) container and eye applicator..worn on a chain on the Khanjar or Gun belt. This one taken from the design of the 303 blackpowder Enfield bullet and case. Oddly all screw mechanisms on traditional silver worked lids are counterscrew (opposite direction to those in the west.)
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 2nd November 2012, 06:38 PM

Salaams ~ Note to Forum. Adding to the flotilla of Omani Khanjars ~

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Notes;
1. Number 1 was described with a woft of the hand as from the Sharqiyyah Eastern Oman probably Sennau. An unusual chequered style.

2. Number 2 is a Jebali dagger from Salalah.( a slightly mismatched dagger and scabbard.)

3. Number 3 is a 4 ringer of Baatina style with bedouin eyes below the belt section but with the Saidiyya (Al Busaidi dynasty hilt ~ the one designed by the wife of Said Sultan around 1840ish ~ Sheherezad).

4. Number 4 is a new Saidiyyah 7 ringer with gold adornment and a working dagger behind..

5. Number 5 and 6 is completely unusual. This dagger is actually from Kassab in the Mussandam. I met the chap who made it. He copied it from one given him by his grandfather. It has the look of a Muscat Khanjar of Tee shaped hilt with what appears to be 7 rings plus a ring. It has an odd semi precious stone added. This is a very rare animal.

kahnjar1 · 2nd November 2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams ~ Note to Forum. Adding to the flotilla of Omani Khanjars ~

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Notes;
1. Number 1 was described with a woft of the hand as from the Sharqiyyah Eastern Oman probably Sennau. An unusual chequered style.

2. Number 2 is a Jebali dagger from Salalah.( a slightly mismatched dagger and scabbard.)

3. Number 3 is a 4 ringer of Baatina style with bedouin eyes below the belt section but with the Saidiyya (Al Busaidi dynasty hilt ~ the one designed by the wife of Said Sultan around 1840ish ~ Sheherezad).

4. Number 4 is a new Saidiyyah 7 ringer with gold adornment and a working dagger behind..

5. Number 5 and 6 is completely unusual. This dagger is actually from Kassab in the Mussandam. I met the chap who made it. He copied it from one given him by his grandfather. It has the look of a Muscat Khanjar of Tee shaped hilt with what appears to be 7 rings plus a ring. It has an odd semi precious stone added. This is a very rare animal.

Number 2 above is described by Steve Gracie in his book Jambiya Daggers from the Souks of Yemen (Page 149), as "A MADD JAMBIYA" from Lahej region of Yemen. Also on Page 148 there is a photograph dated 1920 of a Yaffa tribesman wearing one of these.
IMHO it shows none of the usual traits of Omani origins.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 3rd November 2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Number 2 above is described by Steve Gracie in his book Jambiya Daggers from the Souks of Yemen (Page 149), as "A MADD JAMBIYA" from Lahej region of Yemen. Also on Page 148 there is a photograph dated 1920 of a Yaffa tribesman wearing one of these.
IMHO it shows none of the usual traits of Omani origins.

Salaams kahnjar1 ~Take a walk through the souk in Salalah and see how many Jebalis are wearing these. Its only 100 kilometres from Salalah to the Yemen border and "straddling it" are several Jebali tribes. This dagger style flows both ways. The silver work is Salalah. I spent 6 years there ... 4 of which were in the mountains and on the border. I saw lots of Jebalis wearing these ~every day. Believe me this one is a Salalah (regional ) Jebali dagger. Knowing the region I asked the shop owner where this one was from to confirm it was Dhofari not Yemeni...He said Salalah. He's "al Balooshi" as well ... and has the Mutrah shop.

Separating the two forms is probably impossible without having each of the owners standing in front of you as they are virtually identical people and it would be very difficult to separate the two marks. The two forms are, thus, probably one..and though I don't have the local name to hand it wouldn't surprise me if it was similar.

Origin of ethnographic species is often linked to items and it is easy to see how the run down degraded old Yemeni water works called The Mehrib Dam that finally collapsed in about the 6th Century AD brought with it through the 3rd to 6th Centuries a massive exodus from Yemen to Oman. With that must have traversed many artifact styles and probably craftsmen.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 4th November 2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Number 2 above is described by Steve Gracie in his book Jambiya Daggers from the Souks of Yemen (Page 149), as "A MADD JAMBIYA" from Lahej region of Yemen. Also on Page 148 there is a photograph dated 1920 of a Yaffa tribesman wearing one of these.
IMHO it shows none of the usual traits of Omani origins.

Salaams again on the same subject ~ Page 417 in The Craft Heritage of Oman by Neil Richardson and Marcia Dorr (An Omani Heritage Documentation Project) refers with a picture and a small description with its name Quote "The style of the Dhofara dagger (Khanjar qabiliyyah) has similarities to both the Yemeni janbiyyah and the khanjar of northern Oman".Unquote.
For research purposes I add the picture below.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 27th December 2012, 10:05 AM

Salaams all~ Note to forum.

The decline in ethnic artefacts stretches up and down the entire spectrum of antiques collecting. Regarding Arabian Daggers, Swords and to a large extent old and antique arabian items it is, however, a different situation to that which exists in the west and one which the ethnographic community ought to be aware;

Arab men wear Khanjars and Jambia with pride. The item may be regarded as a badge of office and head of the family. There may well be the occasional person who owns an old dagger but generally the demand is still high for new ones.

At the same time daggers do deteriorate and fall apart or because of neglect fall into complete almost abandoned ruin. They are however cleverly constructed so for example should a new blade be required (or hilt, scabbard, belt, rings etc etc ) it is an easy enough job to fit replacements. Silver because it is oxidising constantly produces a fast acting patina and a brand new silver item can look much older after 5 to 10 years of normal use.

What is apparent is the difficulty for some to realise the nature of antiquity in Arabia. Oman for example was in the dark ages for many centuries and really didn't get going properly in the modern world sense until 1970. Until the advent of oil in other Arab countries the same situation applied, consequently, what people in the west consider as old, ancient, tribal and ethnograhic are still in vogue here. The idea that something is old fashioned and must be disguarded for the modern equivalent took much longer to happen here... and in some remote areas it hasn't happened at all !

Something else, however, happened with traditional weapons.. They were iconised. In Oman, for example, the Khanjar and the Sword are virtually symbols of the country... THEY ARE ITS LOGO. As the late Antony North pointed out in his brilliant book on Islamic Arms and Armour once a system had survived as tried and tested..or trusted ...they didn't change. Thus we have ethnographic weapons, now iconised, that were used for centuries and retained whilst other countries disguarded, modernised and researched new and inovative ideas. In Oman if it worked they didnt change it... Simple?

Thus in Oman there are silversmiths using the same designs and in many cases the same tools with the exception perhaps of a blow lamp and light from an electric bulb ! working in the same way they did centuries ago. High on their list of products are Omani Jewellery and of course Omani Khanjars etc

The other failure I have observed is on the subject of new and or restored items ; Arab men want new Khanjars. The demand is high. A few purchase older items but in their collection of 3 or 4 Khanjars they usually have a new one ... because it is the done thing to arrive at a wedding feast or important meeting wearing the Khanjar, thus, a new weapon shows prestige and wealth etc to all the guests. That is the tradition.

Because the Khanjar is "meccano built'' i.e. from a load of separate replaceable parts it also lends itself to being upgraded easily. A better blade or a horn or Rhino hilt can be fitted..There is technically no end to the upgrade since all the parts are changeable. Many Khanjars get the upgrade treatment at some point. This is normal in Oman.

The fact is that Omani Khanjars and Swords are part of Omani History but they are vitally part of its present and future as well. These are living, breathing artefacts protected by the rich heritage of Oman so they should endure through time.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

TribalBlades · 27th December 2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams all ~ Apparently the best tobacco is grown locally and the top stuff is from the Omani Baatinah Coast ~ from Shinas. It is purchased in empty water bottles. Lighting and smoking is done in one hit... and would revive the dead (or knock out a horse!) Strong stuff !!
Here is another style of tobacco container; this time all silver. The second picture is the Mukhallah or Kohl (antimony paste) container and eye applicator..worn on a chain on the Khanjar or Gun belt. This one taken from the design of the 303 blackpowder Enfield bullet and case. Oddly all screw mechanisms on traditional silver worked lids are counterscrew (opposite direction to those in the west.)
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Brother Ibrahiim, you are mistaken. The 2nd pic is not a Kohl and eye applicator. It is a Dokha (Persian Tobacco) container and Omani pipe (Midhwak).

I know this for a fact, from the dhow-bowsprit shape of the pipe. I used to smoke this stuff. Its very common here in the UAE, especially among the teenager groups.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th December 2012, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalBlades

Brother Ibrahiim, you are mistaken. The 2nd pic is not a Kohl and eye applicator. It is a Dokha (Persian Tobacco) container and Omani pipe (Midhwak).

I know this for a fact, from the dhow-bowsprit shape of the pipe. I used to smoke this stuff. Its very common here in the UAE, especially among the teenager groups.

Salaams TribalBlades IT FLIPPED!! Sorry Chief, the pictures raffled themselves into position so I ought to have made clear the gun cartridge from which the Kohl (antimony paste derivative) which can be either the 303 "Canad"style (SMLE Lee Enfield Birmingham .303 ) or the .303 earlier circa 1890 blackpowder round...OR the earlier shape from the Martini Henry 577 cartridge. The sharing of Kohl applicators was the major cause of conjunctivitis for many decades..before 1970.

The other item is the tobacco pipe and tobacco holder. Well spotted !!!

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

TribalBlades · 28th December 2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams TribalBlades IT FLIPPED!! Sorry Chief, the pictures raffled themselves into position so I ought to have made clear the gun cartridge from which the Kohl (antimony paste derivative) which can be either the 303 "Canad"style (SMLE Lee Enfield Birmingham .303 ) or the .303 earlier circa 1890 blackpowder round...OR the earlier shape from the Martini Henry 577 cartridge. The sharing of Kohl applicators was the major cause of conjunctivitis for many decades..before 1970.

The other item is the tobacco pipe and tobacco holder. Well spotted !!!

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

wow! i just noticed the Kohl-container is made of a cartridge! hmm . .
It seems bullets cartridges have widely been put into other uses. Just the other day, I saw an old Arab Bedu man holding a walking stick, the tip of which was made of a Martini-bullet cartridge!

and thanx for the info about the conjunctivitis. That is definitely something new!

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 29th December 2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalBlades

wow! i just noticed the Kohl-container is made of a cartridge! hmm . .
It seems bullets cartridges have widely been put into other uses. Just the other day, I saw an old Arab Bedu man holding a walking stick, the tip of which was made of a Martini-bullet cartridge!

and thanx for the info about the conjunctivitis. That is definitely something new!

Salaams TribalBlades ~ They are designed in the similar style but not made from the old cartridges (in fact it is a hollow silver casting of the entire bullet and cartridge with a counter rotating silver hand made screw) The material is high grade silver. The chain and applicator are also silver...

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 13th February 2013, 04:05 PM

Omani Khanjar, This old dagger looks to me to be nicely refurbished. The blade is old and smells of old herbs and has a thwack sound when flicked with a fingernail...The rings are well worn. I would change the belt in the age old way of upgrading the weapon and add a work knife to it . The hilt is cowhorn quite nicely pinned. Original goldwash strips adorn the piece.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 13th February 2013, 04:11 PM

Salaams All, They dont make them like this anymore ~ This is the original form chain style on the silver bullet and cartridge kohl container for men. Worn on the gunbelt of slung over the Khanjar this was used to give far sight to the wearer... An olden day concept to cut the suns glare like American Football Players wear today sort of idea.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

2nd November 2012, 06:38 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams ~ Note to Forum. Adding to the flotilla of Omani Khanjars ~ Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Notes; 1. Number 1 was described with a woft of the hand as from the Sharqiyyah Eastern Oman probably Sennau. An unusual chequered style. 2. Number 2 is a Jebali dagger from Salalah.( a slightly mismatched dagger and scabbard.) 3. Number 3 is a 4 ringer of Baatina style with bedouin eyes below the belt section but with the Saidiyya (Al Busaidi dynasty hilt ~ the one designed by the wife of Said Sultan around 1840ish ~ Sheherezad). 4. Number 4 is a new Saidiyyah 7 ringer with gold adornment and a working dagger behind.. 5. Number 5 and 6 is completely unusual. This dagger is actually from Kassab in the Mussandam. I met the chap who made it. He copied it from one given him by his grandfather. It has the look of a Muscat Khanjar of Tee shaped hilt with what appears to be 7 rings plus a ring. It has an odd semi precious stone added. This is a very rare animal. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 2nd November 2012 at 06:58 PM.

27th December 2012, 10:05 AM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams all~ Note to forum. The decline in ethnic artefacts stretches up and down the entire spectrum of antiques collecting. Regarding Arabian Daggers, Swords and to a large extent old and antique arabian items it is, however, a different situation to that which exists in the west and one which the ethnographic community ought to be aware; Arab men wear Khanjars and Jambia with pride. The item may be regarded as a badge of office and head of the family. There may well be the occasional person who owns an old dagger but generally the demand is still high for new ones. At the same time daggers do deteriorate and fall apart or because of neglect fall into complete almost abandoned ruin. They are however cleverly constructed so for example should a new blade be required (or hilt, scabbard, belt, rings etc etc ) it is an easy enough job to fit replacements. Silver because it is oxidising constantly produces a fast acting patina and a brand new silver item can look much older after 5 to 10 years of normal use. What is apparent is the difficulty for some to realise the nature of antiquity in Arabia. Oman for example was in the dark ages for many centuries and really didn't get going properly in the modern world sense until 1970. Until the advent of oil in other Arab countries the same situation applied, consequently, what people in the west consider as old, ancient, tribal and ethnograhic are still in vogue here. The idea that something is old fashioned and must be disguarded for the modern equivalent took much longer to happen here... and in some remote areas it hasn't happened at all ! Something else, however, happened with traditional weapons.. They were iconised. In Oman, for example, the Khanjar and the Sword are virtually symbols of the country... THEY ARE ITS LOGO. As the late Antony North pointed out in his brilliant book on Islamic Arms and Armour once a system had survived as tried and tested..or trusted ...they didn't change. Thus we have ethnographic weapons, now iconised, that were used for centuries and retained whilst other countries disguarded, modernised and researched new and inovative ideas. In Oman if it worked they didnt change it... Simple? Thus in Oman there are silversmiths using the same designs and in many cases the same tools with the exception perhaps of a blow lamp and light from an electric bulb ! working in the same way they did centuries ago. High on their list of products are Omani Jewellery and of course Omani Khanjars etc The other failure I have observed is on the subject of new and or restored items ; Arab men want new Khanjars. The demand is high. A few purchase older items but in their collection of 3 or 4 Khanjars they usually have a new one ... because it is the done thing to arrive at a wedding feast or important meeting wearing the Khanjar, thus, a new weapon shows prestige and wealth etc to all the guests. That is the tradition. Because the Khanjar is "meccano built'' i.e. from a load of separate replaceable parts it also lends itself to being upgraded easily. A better blade or a horn or Rhino hilt can be fitted..There is technically no end to the upgrade since all the parts are changeable. Many Khanjars get the upgrade treatment at some point. This is normal in Oman. The fact is that Omani Khanjars and Swords are part of Omani History but they are vitally part of its present and future as well. These are living, breathing artefacts protected by the rich heritage of Oman so they should endure through time. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 27th December 2012 at 10:28 AM.

13th February 2013, 04:05 PM	#11
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Omani Khanjar, This old dagger looks to me to be nicely refurbished. The blade is old and smells of old herbs and has a thwack sound when flicked with a fingernail...The rings are well worn. I would change the belt in the age old way of upgrading the weapon and add a work knife to it . The hilt is cowhorn quite nicely pinned. Original goldwash strips adorn the piece. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Attached Images

13th February 2013, 04:11 PM	#12
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams All, They dont make them like this anymore ~ This is the original form chain style on the silver bullet and cartridge kohl container for men. Worn on the gunbelt of slung over the Khanjar this was used to give far sight to the wearer... An olden day concept to cut the suns glare like American Football Players wear today sort of idea. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 14th February 2013 at 03:13 PM.