Jambia: Yemen’s centuries-old dagger, a social symbol among men

Sanaa, Jan 8 (EFE-EPA).- As soon as used ceaselessly in fight, jambia daggers are a social staple amongst males and boys in Yemen who put on them slung round their wastes in a nod to the nation’s tribal previous.

Jambia, a curved double-edged dagger that tapers in the direction of the tip, is derived from the Arabic phrase for “facet” as a result of the dagger is normally worn on a belt on a person’s hip.

The traditional accent dates again over 2000 years and is worn proudly by nearly all of Yemeni males, together with adults and kids.

The dagger is deeply rooted in custom and is usually utilized in festive occasions, akin to dances, and teenage boys are given a jambia as a coming-of-age present.

Now a standing image, simply 60 years in the past the daggers have been ceaselessly used for fight or protection, and infrequently nonetheless are used on this approach as a final resort in excessive circumstances of battle.

The standard Yemeni jambia has a curved metal blade with a deal with, a picket sheath during which the blade is held and a leather-based belt.

The deal with is an important a part of a jambia. It’s carved out of bull horns and different animal bones.

Essentially the most premium jambia are made with rhino horns and may fetch hundreds of US {dollars}. EPA-EFE

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