Kurdish Jambiya Dagger Northern Iraq

19th century. Alternate spelling Janbiya. Horn hilt with pewter studs, double edged blade with central rib. Brown embossed leather scabbard. Ref.: "Islamic Weapons. Maghrib to Moghul" by A. C. Tirri, page. 95. The janbia was given its name because it is worn on the side of a person – the word janbia is derived from the Arabic word "janb" which mean "side". A janbia is constituted of a handle, a blade, and a sheath in which the blade is held. It is made of a certain sort of wood, to hold the blade that is fixed to the waist from underneath with an upward curved sheath. The belt that holds the janbia can be made of tanned leather, or, wound some thick cloth.

The janbia handle often tells of the social status of the man who wears it.

Code: 23292