![Indian jambiya dagger, Louvre R895](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/Indian_jambiya_dagger%2C_Louvre_R895.jpg)
A ''khanjar'' ( ar, خنجر, ku, Xencer, bn, খঞ্জর, khôñjôr tr, Hançer, fa, خنجر, ur, خنجر, sh, Handžar) is a traditional
dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a very sharp point and usually two sharp edges, typically designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon.State v. Martin, 633 S.W.2d 80 (Mo. 1982): This is the dictionary or popular-use de ...
originating from
Oman
Oman ( ; ar, عُمَان ' ), officially the Sultanate of Oman ( ar, سلْطنةُ عُمان ), is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and spans the mouth of t ...
, although it has since spread to the rest of the Middle East, South Asia, and the
Balkans
The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...
. Worn by men for ceremonial occasions, it is a short curved sword shaped like the letter "J" and resembles a hook. It can be made from a variety of different materials, depending on the quality of its craftsmanship. It is a popular
souvenir
A souvenir (), memento, keepsake, or token of remembrance is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. A souvenir can be any object that can be collected or purchased and transported home by the traveler as a m ...
among tourists and is sold in
souqs throughout the region. A national symbol of the
sultan
Sultan (; ar, سلطان ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it ...
ate, the ''khanjar'' is featured on
Oman's national emblem and on the
Omani rial. It also features in logos and commercial imagery by companies based in Oman.
History
Although it is not known when the Omani ''khanjar'' was first created,
rock carvings epitomizing the dagger were found on gravestones located in the central part of the
Ru’us al Jibal region. These are believed to have predated the
Wahhabi
Wahhabism ( ar, ٱلْوَهَّابِيَةُ, translit=al-Wahhābiyyah) is a Sunni Islamic revivalist and fundamentalist movement associated with the reformist doctrines of the 18th-century Arabian Islamic scholar, theologian, preacher, an ...
revival, which occurred in the late 1700s. They were also mentioned in an account by Robert Padbrugge of the
Dutch Republic
The United Provinces of the Netherlands, also known as the (Seven) United Provinces, officially as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands (Dutch: ''Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden''), and commonly referred to in historiography ...
, who journeyed to
Muscat
Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman
Oman ( ; ar, عُمَان ' ), officially the Sultanate of Oman ( ar, سلْطنةُ عُمان ), is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is s ...
in June 1672.
The
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
spread further the use of this type of knife. In the
Balkans
The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...
, where it was known as ''Handschar'', such knives were regularly carried by Ottoman policemen, and it remained in local use also after the end of Ottoman rule. During the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, the knife's name was bestowed on the
13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar (1st Croatian), composed of
Bosnian Muslims
The Bosniaks ( bs, Bošnjaci, Cyrillic: Бошњаци, ; , ) are a South Slavic ethnic group native to the Southeast European historical region of Bosnia, which is today part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who share a common Bosnian ancestry, cu ...
(ethnic Bosniaks) with some Catholic
Croat
The Croats (; hr, Hrvati ) are a South Slavic ethnic group who share a common Croatian ancestry, culture, history and language. They are also a recognized minority in a number of neighboring countries, namely Austria, the Czech Republic, Ge ...
soldiers, the knife also appeared on the division's emblem.
The word خنجر appears to be the arabized version of the Persian word خونگر.
Usage and symbolism
Composition and manufacturing
![National emblem of Oman](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/National_emblem_of_Oman.svg)
Depending on the quality of its craftsmanship, the Omani ''khanjar'' can be made using a variety of different metals and other materials. Gold or silver would be used to make ''khanjar'' of the finest quality (e.g. for royalty), while
brass
Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in proportions which can be varied to achieve different mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other with ...
and copper would be used for daggers made by local craftsmen. For instance, a sheath adorned with gold was historically limited to the Omani upper class. White or Ivory handled and sheathed ones are preferred by the
Sayyids
''Sayyid'' (, ; ar, سيد ; ; meaning 'sir', 'Lord', 'Master'; Arabic plural: ; feminine: ; ) is a surname of people descending from the Prophets in Islam, Islamic prophet Muhammad through his grandsons, Hasan ibn Ali and Husayn ibn Ali ...
or
Hashemites
The Hashemites ( ar, الهاشميون, al-Hāshimīyūn), also House of Hashim, are the royal family of Jordan, which they have ruled since 1921, and were the royal family of the kingdoms of Hejaz (1916–1925), Syria (1920), and Iraq (1921 ...
symbolising their status in society. ''Najeeb Altarfayn Saadah'' in Oman and Arabia usually carry two of them.
[ ] Traditionally, the dagger is designed by its future owner himself, with the craftsman taking into account the "specifications" and "preferences" stipulated by the former. The time it takes to manufacture a ''khanjar'' can range from three weeks to several months.
[
The most elemental sections of the ''khanjar'' are its handle and blade,][ ] with the material used in the former playing a significant role influencing the final price of the dagger.[ ]Rhinoceros horn
A rhinoceros (; ; ), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. (It can also refer to a member of any of the extinct species o ...
and ivory
Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mammals is ...
[ were once the common standard, as it was "considered the best material" to make the ]hilt
The hilt (rarely called a haft or shaft) of a knife, dagger, sword, or bayonet is its handle, consisting of a guard, grip and pommel. The guard may contain a crossguard or quillons. A tassel or sword knot may be attached to the guard or pommel. ...
out of.[ However, with the international ban on the ]ivory trade
The ivory trade is the commercial, often illegal trade in the ivory tusks of the hippopotamus, walrus, narwhal, mammoth, and most commonly, African and Asian elephants.
Ivory has been traded for hundreds of years by people in Africa and Asia, ...
and rhinoceros horn, the usage of other materials such as wood, plastic, and camel bone has become more prevalent.[ Typically, the top of the hilt is flat, but the one designed for the royal family is in the shape of a cross.][
]
Custom
The Omani ''khanjar'' is tucked underneath a waist belt and is situated at the front and centre of the wearer's body.[ ] It used to form part of everyday attire; however, it is now carried as a "ceremonial dagger", and worn only for formal events and ceremonies – such as weddings, parades, meetings, and diplomatic functions – among many other occasions.[ ] Labelled a "ubiquitous sign of masculinity" by John M. Willis in ''The Arab Studies Journal'', the ''khanjar'' is a symbol of "manhood, power and authority",[ as well as serving as a status symbol for the person wearing it.][ As a result, it is sometimes given by families to their sons when they reach adolescence,][ and is a common wedding gift to the groom.][ ]
Although the ''khanjar'' was originally created as a weapon to attack and defend, it is used solely for ceremonial and practical purposes today.[ The latter situation would occur in the desert, where it is used as a tool for hunting and skinning animals, as well as for slicing ropes.][ Because of this development, it is now considered a "social taboo" in Oman to pull out one's ''khanjar'' from its ]scabbard
A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, knife, or other large blade. As well, rifles may be stored in a scabbard by horse riders. Military cavalry and cowboys had scabbards for their saddle ring carbine rifles and Lever action, lever-action ...
without blooding it, since the only time men would do this would be to seek vengeance or to defend oneself.[
]
Distribution
While the ''khanjar'' is most prevalent in Yemen
Yemen (; ar, ٱلْيَمَن, al-Yaman), officially the Republic of Yemen,, ) is a country in Western Asia. It is situated on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, and borders Saudi Arabia to the Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, north and ...
where the majority of the Northern men wear it every day. In Oman it is given its symbolic status there,[ it is also worn by men in the ]United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...
, forming an integral component of "traditional dress" in those countries. It can also be found and is sold in other states in Eastern Arabia
Eastern Arabia, historically known as al-Baḥrayn ( ar, البحرين) until the 18th century, is a region stretched from Basra to Khasab along the Persian Gulf coast and included parts of modern-day Bahrain, Kuwait, Eastern Saudi Arabia, Unite ...
, such as the Souq Waqif
Souq Waqif (Arabic: سوق واقف ''Sūq Wāqif'', "the standing market") is a marketplace ( souq) in Doha, in the state of Qatar. The souq sells traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It is also home to restaurants and shis ...
in Doha
Doha ( ar, الدوحة, ad-Dawḥa or ''ad-Dōḥa'') is the capital city and main financial hub of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf coast in the east of the country, north of Al Wakrah and south of Al Khor, it is home to most of the coun ...
, Qatar. The ''khanjar'' is a popular keepsake among tourists,[ and is the Sultanate's best-selling memento.
]
Other uses
Official government
As the ''khanjar'' is a national symbol
A national symbol is a symbol of any entity considering and manifesting itself to the world as a national community: the sovereign states but also nations and countries in a state of colonial or other dependence, federal integration, or even an ...
of Oman, it is featured on the sultanate's national emblem.[ It has been a symbol on the royal crest of the Al Said dynasty since the 18th century,][ which subsequently became the national emblem.][ It is also depicted on the Omani rial][ – the country's currency – specifically on the one rial note, as well as on postage stamps issued by the sultanate.][ Furthermore, there are statues of ''khanjar'' on buildings housing ]government
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is a ...
ministries and at various roundabout
A roundabout is a type of circular intersection or junction in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a central island, and priority is typically given to traffic already in the junction.''The New Shorter Oxford En ...
s throughout the country.[
]
Commercial
The ''khanjar'' was previously shown prominently on the logo[ and planes][ of ]Oman Air
Oman Air ( ar, الطيران العماني) is the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman. Based at Muscat International Airport in Seeb, Muscat, it operates domestic and international passenger services, as well as regional air taxi and ch ...
– the country's flag carrier
A flag carrier is a transport company, such as an airline or shipping company, that, being locally registered in a given sovereign state, enjoys preferential rights or privileges accorded by the government for international operations.
Hist ...
– until it was removed under a rebranding in 2008. The logo of Omantel
Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) is the first telecommunications company in Oman and is the primary provider of internet services in the country. The government of Oman owns a 51% share in Omantel.
Omantel acquired 65% of WorldCall Pakist ...
also illustrates a stylized khanjar; it was retained in the logotype's motif after the telecommunications company merged with Oman Mobile in 2010. Moreover, the perfume company Amouage
Amouage is an international luxury fragrance brand founded in 1983 in Oman and operated by the Oman Perfumery LLC, a subsidiary of the Omani SABCO Group.
History
The company was founded, at the request of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, in 19 ...
, which is owned by the Sultan of Oman and his royal family, incorporates the dagger into the design of its bottles. The cap on its ''Gold for Men'' perfume bottle resembles the handle of a ''khanjar'', complementing the ''Gold for Women'' cap which evokes the dome of Ruwi Mosque.
See also
*Janbiya
A jambiya, also spelled janbiya, jambya, jambia and janbia ( ar, جنۢبية ''janbīyah''), is a specific type of dagger with a short curved blade with a medial ridge that originated from the Hadhramaut region of Yemen. They have spread all ov ...
*Khanda
Khanda may refer to:
Places
* Khanda, Sonipat, a very big and historical village in Sonipat district of Haryana, India
* Khanda, Jind, a village in Jind district of Haryana, India
* Khanda Kheri, a village in Hansi Tehsil of Hisar district of Ha ...
*Firangi
''Firangi'' () is a 2017 Indian Hindi-language historical drama film written and directed by Rajiev Dhingra. It stars Kapil Sharma, who is also the producer, along with Ishita Dutta and Monica Gill. The film was shot primarily in Punjab and R ...
*Jile
The Jile, also known as a Gile in Afar language, in Somali known as Qolxad, is a type of dagger with a long curved blade used by the Somali and Afar people found in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea. Unique to the Horn of Africa, it is the ...
*Keris
The kris, or ''keris'' in the Indonesian language, is an asymmetrical dagger with distinctive blade-patterning achieved through alternating laminations of iron and nickelous iron (''pamor''). Of Javanese origin, the kris is famous for its disti ...
*Sabre
A sabre ( French: sabʁ or saber in American English) is a type of backsword with a curved blade associated with the light cavalry of the early modern and Napoleonic periods. Originally associated with Central European cavalry such as th ...
*Pulwar
The pulwar or pulouar is a single-handed curved sword originating in Afghanistan.
Origin
The pulwar originated alongside other scimitar-type weapons such as the Arab saif, the Persian shamshir, the Turkish kilij, and the Indian talwar, all of th ...
*Shamshir
A shamshir ( fa, شمشیر) is a type of Persian/Iranian sword with a radical curve. The name is derived from the Persian word ''shamshīr'', which means "sword". The curved "scimitar" sword family includes the shamshir, kilij, talwar, pulw ...
*Kilij
A kilij (from Turkish ''kılıç'', literally "sword") or a pusat is a type of one-handed, single-edged and moderately curved scimitar used by the Seljuk Empire, Timurid Empire, Mamluk Empire, Ottoman Empire, and other Turkic khanates of Eu ...
* Saif
*Zulfiqar
Zulfiqar ( ar, ذُو ٱلْفَقَار, Ḏū-l-Faqār, ), also spelled ''Zu al-Faqar'', ''Zulfikar'', ''Dhu al-Faqar'', ''Dhulfaqar'' or ''Dhulfiqar'', is the sword of Ali ibn Abi Talib.
Middle Eastern weapons are commonly inscribed w ...
References
External links
Khanjar photos
at Alain-Dailyphoto Blogspot
Press release
showing the ''khanjar'' on Oman Air
Oman Air ( ar, الطيران العماني) is the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman. Based at Muscat International Airport in Seeb, Muscat, it operates domestic and international passenger services, as well as regional air taxi and ch ...
's old logo
{{commons category, Khanjars
Omani culture
Arab inventions
Indo-Persian weaponry
Daggers
Blade weapons