- published: 26 Jul 2015
- views: 18351
Janbiya, also spelled janbia, jambiya, and jambia, (Arabic: جنبية janbīyah), is the Arabic term for dagger, but it is generally used to describe a specific type of dagger with a short curved blade that is worn on a belt. Although the term jambiya is also used in other Arab countries, it is mostly associated with people of Yemen. Men typically above the age of 14 wear it as an accessory to their clothing.
Like most other weapons, janbiyas come in brands. The price of a janbiya varies between 500 Yemeni Rials to 200 million Yemeni Rials. The brand of a janbiya is associated with the material with which it is made as well as its quality and design.
The most significant part of a janbiya is its hilt. In fact, the price of a janbiya is in most cases determined by its hilt. The saifani handle is known to be the most famous and is found on the daggers of wealthier citizens. The saifani handle is made of rhinoceros' horns, which can cost up to $1500 USD per kilogram. Different versions of saifani handles can be distinguished by their colour. Most other janbiya handles are made of different types of horns or wood. Apart from the material used for the handle, the design and detail on the handle describe its value and the status of its owner.