Silver Khanjar Jambya Arab Dagger, Late 19th Century

Khandjar Jambya Arab dagger. Horn handle covered with chased silver. Wide, curved blade with a central ridge. Wooden scabbard covered with rich silver decoration and silver wire, very fine workmanship. Late 19th, early 20th century. The janbiya, or jambiya, jambia, or djambia (Arabic: جنبية), is the Arabic term for a dagger. It is generally used to describe a particular type of dagger with a short, curved blade, worn on the belt in Arab countries. Its origins date back to a pre-Islamic period; the earliest traces of the jambiya date from the time of the Queen of Sheba, more than 5,000 years ago. It is associated with Yemeni tradition, where men wear it as an accessory with traditional clothing.[1] Although it is still considered and used as such, it tends to lose its status as a weapon in favor of its symbolic aspect. It is very similar to the Omani khanjar, which appears on the Sultanate's coat of arms but is less commonly worn by Omani men. The jambiya is frequently used in traditional Yemeni celebrations such as dances, weddings, and initiation ceremonies for young boys. The jambiya holds a privileged status in Yemeni culture as an indicator of the wearer's social standing. The finest jambiyas are worn by high-ranking officials; among them, the Hashemites (an Arab tribe claiming direct descent from Muhammad), judges, and businessmen may wear jambiyas that command very high prices, such as that of Sheikh Al-Shaif, which traces its lineage back to Imam Yahya al-Din Hameed.