Jambiya

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A Yemeni boy selling Jambiyas on the street of Ta'izz, Yemen.
A Yemeni boy selling Jambiyas on the street of Ta'izz, Yemen.

Jambiya, or Jambia (Arabic script جمبية or جنبية), is the Arabic term for dagger, but it is generally used to describe a specific type of dagger with a short curved blade that is worn on a belt. Although the jambiya is of Arab origin, it is mostly associated with people of Yemeni descent. Men typically above the age of 14 wear it as an accessory to their clothing.

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[edit] History of the Jambiya

There are several theories about the origin of the jambiya. It is reported that a statue of king Madi Karb (500 BC) of the Himyarite kingdom was recently found, showing him with a jambiya on his belt. It is also believed that the jambiya originates from a long sword that was actually worn in the same way. This was during a time of unrest when it was not safe for a man to be outside without a weapon. Eventually, the need for a sword had diminished however it had already become a part of their culture. Hence the jambiya - a shortened version of the sword - was created. Jambiyas are passed down generation after generation. Some are even centuries old. The jambiyas are rarely used as weapons of defense; rather they are a means of defining and displaying the status of a man in society. Jambiyas are also worn as a sign of patriotism and tribal loyalty.

[edit] Types of Jambiya

Jambiya from Yemen in its sheath
Jambiya from Yemen in its sheath

Like most other weapons, jambiyas come in brands. The price of a jambiya varies between 500 Yemeni Rials to 200 million Yemeni Rials or 1 million US dollars. The brand of a jambiya is associated with the material with which it is made, its quality and its design.

[edit] The Hilt or Handle

The most significant part of a jambiya is its hilt. In most cases, the price of a jambiya is determined by its hilt. The saifani handle is known to be the most famous, and is found on the daggers of higher class citizens. The saifani handle is made of rhinoceros horns which can cost up to 1500USD for 1 kilogram. Different versions of saifani handles can be distinguished by their colour. Most other jambiya handles are made of different types of horns or wood. Apart from the material used for the handle, the design and detail on the handle describe its value and the status of its owner.

[edit] The Blade, Sheath and Belt

In the majority of cases the double-sided blade of the jambiya is constructed of steel. The blade is stored in a sheath, usually made of wood. The sheath is commonly decorated with various ornaments that signify status. These include silver work, semi-precious stones and leather. The sheath is fixed on a leather belt which is normally 2-3 inches thick. The belt is usually worn around the lower abdomen. There are often other items attached to this belt, such as a silver purse for containing money and change.

[edit] Use of the Jambiya

Despite the significance of the jambiya, it is still a weapon. Although people have used it in times of dispute, there are societal norms that must be followed in order to avoid defamation. The jambiya should only come out of its sheath in extreme cases of conflict. It is also commonly used in traditional events such as dances.

[edit] The Yemeni Jambia

To celebrate a marriage, men dance with jambiyas drawn
To celebrate a marriage, men dance with jambiyas drawn

Jambia is a short dagger worn by men in Yemen. The handle of a jambiya tells the status of the man who wears it.

[edit] Structure and make

Jambias are constituted of a handle, a blade, and a sheath in which the blade is held. It is made of a certain sort of wood, to hold the blade that is fixed to the waist in a neat way. The belt that holds the Jambia is made of tanned leather, or some thick cloth. There are specialized markets and handicraft markets that decorate it with golden wires.

The Jambia handle often tells of the social status of the man who wears it. They are made of the African rhinoceros’s horn, ivory and also (Almoswae) horn. A kilo of this often costs $1500. The manufacturers receive this through smugglers, due to the international ban on the substance. This contributed to the retreat in the manufacturing of valuable Jambias. The rhinoceros horn is considered to be the most precious. The Jambias value increases as it acquires modern and old qualities.

[edit] Qualities of Jambia in Yemen

The most famous sort of the Jambia is that which has a “saifani” handle. It has a dim yellowish luster. When it is clearer, it turns into a yellow color. This is called saifani heart.

Some of the saifani handles are called “Asadi”, when they turn into greenish yellow. When the handle becomes Whitish yellow, it is called Zaraf. There is also Albasali (onionish) kind whose color looks like white onion.

The saifani Jambia is often worn by dignitary persons; among them are the Hashimites (an Arab tribe which claims a direct bloodline to Muhammad), the judges, famous merchants and businessmen. Some of these Jambias cost about Yr 70 millions, like that of sheikh Al-Shaif, which goes back to Imam Yahia Hameed Aldeen. The ordinary Jambias cost about Yr 10 - 50 thousands.

Source Hassan Al-Zaidi from the Yemen Times http://www.yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=866&p=culture&a=1

[edit] References