THE ARAB. 



385 



§100, and, as at modern Damascus, cheap German 

 imitations abound. The usual handle is wood 

 hound with thread-like plaits of black leather and 

 silver wire forming patterns ; the pommel is an 

 iron knob, and the general aspect of the article 

 suggests that it is derived from the Crusading 

 ages. The c Kittareh ' is a curved European 

 sabre : the young princes and those about the 

 coast carry in hand expensive specimens with 

 ivory hilts and gold mountings. Thirdly, the 

 ' Imani,' as they call it, is a short straight blade 

 made in Europe, Oman, or Hazramaut. The 

 Arab knows but two cuts, — one the 8 Kalain,' 

 across the ankles, and the other our Xo. 7, di- 

 rected at the head or preferably at the shoulder : 

 the former is evaded by leaping or breaking 

 ground, the latter is parried with the shield. 

 Jambiyahs, Khanjars, or daggers, worn strapped 

 and buckled round the waist, are curved till the 

 point forms almost a right angle with the hilt. 

 It is a silly construction ; but anything will serve 

 to stab the enemy's back above the shoulders. 

 The dudgeon of black or white rhinoceros or buffalo 

 horn is adorned with a profusion of filagree-work, 

 and silver or gold knobs; the blade, sharp on 

 both sides, is nearly three inches broad at the 

 base. The sheath ('Ala) is similarly ornamented 



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