Oman - A curved dagger proudly worn by Omani men on formal occasions and at celebrations and festivities is an important feature of their formal attire and symbol of male elegance.
The khanjar is curved and sharpened on both edges. It is carried in a sheath decorated in silver, on a belt similarly decorated in silver filigree. A khanjar appears on the national flag of Oman, as part of the national emblem.
There are many uses of the Khanjar. It is a symbolic weapon and worn by men after puberty. Nowadays it is used as a type of formal dress code and stylistic purposes. Khanjar is one of the best traditional Omani symbols of national pride. It is part of the Omani culture as it reflects the ancient heritage and traditions of the country.
As part of the Omani traditions, Khanjar is worn on belts at men’s waists to represent manhood, courage and social status. It is a significant part of formal dress for men. In the past, men used to wear it on a daily basis, however today it is mainly worn on special occasions. Nowadays, men usually wear khanjar in weddings, Eids and official occasions.
Khanjar is very special and precious hand-made symbol not in Oman but in other countries of the region such as Bahrain and Yemen. The richly crafted Omani daggers are stocked into a complicatedly designed belt with silver embellishments. Although the number of khanjar makers is in decline today, the demand remains high as many families preserve the tradition of wearing khanjar on important occasions. Some fathers present khanjars to their sons when they reach certain age to show them the feeling of manhood and to preserve the tradition.
The Omani khanjar consists of three essential parts; the hilt, the sheath and the blade. The hilt is made of ivory, horn or Sandalwood and its price depends on the material it is made of. The second part is the sheath which is made of a curved piece of wood covered with silver. The sheath shapes the real design of khanjar. The third part is the blade in which the hilt is stocked. The blade is made of a sharp iron.
What distinguishes the Omani khanjar is that its designs differ from one region to another in the Sultanate. The major designs of khanjar come in three basic styles; Saidiyah, Dakhiliyah (Omaniyah) and Sharqiyah (Suriyah).
These are the three fundamental designs which distinguish the Omani khanjar from other types of khanjars in other gulf countries. However, there are numerous variations of khanjar derived from personal choices of the craftsmen and contemporary trends. Khanjars are made in different regions and wilayats in the Sultanate. The different types of khanjars are named after the regions in which they are made and vary according to size, shape, type of metal and the cover.
The Saidiyah khanjar has a narrow hilt covered with silver and it is the largest and most expensive one. It is most popular and favourite type of khanjars among Omani people. The Dakhiliyah khanjar has a very thick handle of ivory or horn and a sheath decorated with artistic designs of silver.
The Sharqiyah or Suriyah khanjar is called so because it is made in the Wilayat of Sur in the Sharqiyah region. What differentiates this khanjar from other types is its smaller size. However, the khanjars from Sur are very elegant with their distinct designs.
The price of the khanjar is estimated by the cost and type of material the hilt is made of. The prices also vary depending on the size of the ivory or horn of the hilt. The sheath of the khanjar represents the craftsmanship of the silversmith and how skilful he is.
The Omani khanjar is distinguished from other types of daggers elsewhere in the world by its artistic designs made of silver and precious hilts. It represents the ancient Omani culture and proficiency of the Omani craftsmen inherited through generations.
Today, some young men may not be attached to their khanjars as much as their fathers, however, they appreciate the real value of khanjar as part of their culture and daily traditions. Nobody can deny the value of preserving the precious traditions for the generations to come. Whatever the fashion urge, khanjars will always remain a prized possession for Omani men. It indicates the prestige of all Omanis. (OmanObserver)
Global Arab Network
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