Yemeni swords and daggers: Skilled craftsmanship [Archives:2006/963/Last Page]
By: Ismail Al-Ghabiri
The word “semsama” refers to one of the most famous swords made in ancient Yemen. However, some historians associate the name semsama with the handgrip of an old masterpiece of a sword that remained buried under the sands in Mecca, originally given as a present from King Solomon to Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba.
Tales differ as to the historical background of the term “al-semsama,” but all narrations agree that it was a particular name of a special sword.
Yemen actually was famed among ancient countries for the art of manufacturing all sorts of magnificent swords, daggers and other ancient weaponry made of metal. Yemenis were the pioneers in this artistic craft, which later was passed on to those from other countries.
In this traditional sphere, the Yemeni style was exceptional in the sense that Yemeni craftsmen carefully had to render a highly skilled method of making swords look more luxurious by choosing optimal quality steel for the sword's body and studding its handgrip with gold, silver and other jewelry.
Moreover, some inscriptions and drawings portraying some life aspects at that time also are skillfully designed on the swords' handgrips, thus adding to their magnificent appearance.
The post-Islamic era influenced the art by uniformity of style observed in designing sword grips and their embellishment with Arabic writings and reflections of Islamic ornamental art, which contributed in safeguarding an important component of Islamic artistic heritage throughout the ages.
As such, the art of creating swords and daggers acquired great significance among Yemenis and later become an essential and distinctive element of their culture. In more modern times, swords have been reflected in the art of painting and become a source of inspiration for artists from which to derive cultural uniqueness over the ages.
This leads one to see how the sword incorporated with Yemeni cultural manifestations to become an integral part of Yemeni traditional costume, as well as accompany Yemenis as they perform their popular dancing.
Yemen's cultural heritage is rich with various dancing styles, most necessitating that the dancers use swords and daggers. Such use generally represents the power and dignity of the Yemeni people.
Known as “Bara'a” in Sana'a, the sword dance is a popular style of dancing that has become widespread in various parts of Yemen, thus reflecting an essential facet of its people's traditional culture.
This type of dancing exists throughout Yemen and still enjoys popularity and special flavor in the countryside, where Yemeni culture has been unaffected by the intruding winds from the West.
Yemeni villagers still maintain their natural inclination to respond to the sounds of drums, pipes or flutes, provoking their aptitude to shake their bodies and enjoy dancing, not forgetting to grasp their daggers or swords and shake them high in the air in harmony with their bodies' impressive movements. This depiction is a vivid indication of the sword's significance to Yemeni people and how swords accompany them both at joyous times and hard moments as well.
Hence, manufacturing swords and daggers remains a work of art with its popularity, admirers and buyers. Visitors to traditional markets become familiarized with the various types and shapes of swords exhibited at the trading stores, reflecting the unique artistic craftsmanship of Yemenis throughout history.
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