Khanjar: Difference between revisions

[[File:Khanjar.jpg|thumb|200px|An Omani ''khanjar'', also known as a [[janbiya]], {{circa}} 1924]]

[[File:Indian jambiya dagger, Louvre R895.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Mughal Empire|Mogul]] khanjar dagger with a pistol grip shaped hilt, 17th century.]]

A '''''khanjar''''' ({{lang-ar|خنجر}}, {{lang-ku|Xencer}}, {{lang-bn|খঞ্জর|khôñjôr}} {{lang-tr|Hançer}}, {{lang-fa|خنجر}}, {{lang-ur|خنجر}}, {{lang-sh|Handžar}}) is a traditional [[dagger]] originating from [[Oman]], although it has since spread to the rest of the Middle East, South Asia, and the [[Balkans]]. 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]] among tourists and is sold in [[souq]]s throughout the region. A national symbol of the [[sultan]]ate, the ''khanjar'' is featured on [[National emblem of Oman|Oman's national emblem]] and on the [[Omani rial]]. It also features in logos and commercial imagery by companies based in Oman.

The Omani ''khanjar'' is tucked underneath a waist belt and is situated at the front and centre of the wearer's body.<ref name=rituals>{{cite journal|last=Chatty|first=Dawn|author-link=Dawn Chatty|date=May 2009|title=Rituals of Royalty and the Elaboration of Ceremony in Oman: View From the Edge|journal=International Journal of Middle East Studies|volume=41|issue=1|pages=10|access-date=3 June 2014|url=http://www3.qeh.ox.ac.uk/pdf/qehwp/qehwps173.pdf}} {{registration required}}</ref> It used to form part of everyday attire;<ref name=iconic>{{cite news|title=Khanjar (Dagger): Truly "Iconic" Omani emblem|url=http://www.timesofoman.com/news/Article-9589.aspx|date=27 February 2013|access-date=30 May 2014|first=Sultana|last=Kamal|newspaper=Times of Oman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530031427/http://www.timesofoman.com/news/Article-9589.aspx|archive-date=30 May 2022}}</ref> however, it is now carried as a "ceremonial dagger",<ref>{{cite news|title=Holidays in Oman: experience endless beauty|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/oman-holidays/9834727/oman-holiday.html|date=31 January 2013|access-date=5 June 2014|first=Stuart|last=Rogers|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}</ref> and worn only for formal events and ceremonies – such as weddings, parades, meetings, and diplomatic functions – among many other occasions.<ref name=Deccan/><ref name=Nizwa>{{cite news|title=Nizwa souk is lower key than most, but just as intriguing|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SDUB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=116D2FE99292F3DF&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=105B9A93AF33E3E3|date=15 August 1999|access-date=30 May 2014|page=F4|first=Judith|last=Morgan|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune}} {{subscription required}}</ref> Labelled a "ubiquitous sign of masculinity" by John M. Willis in ''The Arab Studies Journal'',<ref>{{cite journal|last=Willis|first=John M.|date=Spring 1996|title=History, Culture, and the Forts of Oman|journal=The Arab Studies Journal|volume=4|issue=1|pages=141–143|jstor=27933683}} {{registration required}}</ref> the ''khanjar'' is a symbol of "manhood, power and authority",<ref name=old/> as well as serving as a status symbol for the person wearing it.<ref name=Deccan/><ref name=iconic/> As a result, it is sometimes given by families to their sons when they reach adolescence,<ref name=iconic/> and is a common wedding gift to the groom.<ref name="mysticism">{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:STL2&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=123105DABB834E48&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=105B9A93AF33E3E3|title=A modern air of mysticism in the land of frankincense|last=Turbett|first=Peggy|date=7 September 2008|location=New Jersey|page=3|access-date=31 May 2014|newspaper=The Star-Ledger}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

While the ''khanjar'' is most prevalent in [[Yemen]] where the majority of the Northern men wear it every day. In Oman it is given its symbolic status there,<ref name=iconic/> it is also worn by men in the [[United Arab Emirates]], forming an integral component of "traditional dress" in those countries.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Picton|first=Oliver James|date=2 February 2010|title=Usage of the concept of culture and heritage in the United Arab Emirates – an analysis of Sharjah heritage area|journal=Journal of Heritage Tourism|volume=5|issue=1|pages=69–84|doi=10.1080/17438730903469813}} {{registration required}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Karlgård|first1=Tone Simensen|last2=Ball|first2=Marieanne Davy|date=2011|title=Typical souvenirs, originals or copies, how do we know?|url=https://www.interpol.int/Media/Files/Crime-areas/Works-of-art/Stop-heritage-crime|journal=Stop Heritage Crime – Good Practices and Recommendations|publisher=Interpol|pages=129|isbn=978-83-931656-5-0|access-date=2 June 2014|via=Interpol}}</ref> It can also be found and is sold in other states in [[Eastern Arabia]], such as the [[Souq Waqif]] in [[Doha]], Qatar.<ref>{{cite news|title=Is Qatar the Next Dubai?|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/travel/04qatar.html?pagewante&_r=1&|date=4 June 2006|access-date=30 May 2014|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> The ''khanjar'' is a popular keepsake among tourists,<ref name=Deccan/> and is the Sultanate's best-selling memento.<ref>{{cite news|title=Only 15 Readers Got All 30 Answers|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:PBPB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EAF41026483AB57&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=105B9A93AF33E3E3|date=26 March 2000|access-date=3 June 2014|page=12D|first=Cheryl|last=Blackerby|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

As the ''khanjar'' is a [[national symbol]] of Oman, it is featured on the [[National emblem of Oman|sultanate's national emblem]].<ref name=Deccan/><ref name=iconic/><ref>{{cite web|title=Oman|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/oman/|access-date=30 May 2014|work=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA}}</ref> It has been a symbol on the royal crest of the Al Said dynasty since the 18th century,<ref name=old/> which subsequently became the national emblem.<ref name=rituals/> It is also depicted on the [[Omani rial]]<ref name=old/> – the country's currency – specifically on the one rial note,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OMxQwXQghgkC&pg=PA769|title=2013 Standard Catalog of World Paper Money – Modern Issues: 1961–Present, Volume 3|publisher=Krause Publications|date=17 February 2012|editor-last=Cuhaj|editor-first=George S.|page=769|isbn=9781440229565}}</ref> as well as on postage stamps issued by the sultanate.<ref name=Deccan/> Furthermore, there are statues of ''khanjar'' on buildings housing [[Politics of Oman|government]] ministries and at various [[roundabout]]s throughout the country.<ref name=Deccan/><ref name=old/>

*[http://www.omanair.com/en/about-us/press-releases/amman-oman-air’s-new-destination Press release] showing the ''khanjar'' on [[Oman Air]]'s old logo