Swords on display at Milipol Qatar. (Abdul Basit/ The Peninsula)
Despite the display of hundreds of ultra-sophisticated defence products at Milipol Qatar, traditional Arab swords are still shining brilliantly attracting both locals and foreigners.
“These decorative swords are marvelous indeed, reminding one of the Arabian culture and traditions,” says Matthew, an expatriate, who was lost in gilded, curved-blade swords and daggers displayed at Ghaith Essence of Swords stall at the Milipol exhibition.
Dozens of Arab curved swords and daggers of silver and golden colour as well as made of pure silver and gold are not less than, in terms of attracting visitors, modern combat weapons like AP-4 assault rifles and surveillance drones.
In Arab cultures, curved, single handed and edged swords are loved since centuries unlike the swords with straight blades of Roman and Greek origins. These Arab swords are “Saifs”, with which Arab people have deep-rooted emotional attachments.
“As weapons for defence and assault have changed with the advancement of science and technology, these swords and daggers have just reduced to decorative items with no use in defence and security related operations,” said the company representative.
He said people used to buy these gilded swords as souvenirs. “They decorate their houses and offices with these swords,” he said adding that mostly Qataris and Western expatriates were the buyers of these swords. The Ghaith Essence of Swords has a permanent outlet at Souq Waqif.
He said most of the swords’ blades were made of pure silver while their sheaths were crafted with 21 carat gold. “The sheaths of some swords are made of crocodile hide,” he added. Most of the swords made by the company are single-handed with blades that curve to a greater or lesser degree. Most blades of swords are also engraved with Arabic art. The hilts of some daggers also carry falcons, another symbol of Arab people’s passionate affection, as pommel.
The single-blade, curved swords are a part of emblem of Qatar. The traditional Arab bent sword is also present in the coats of arms of Saudi Arabia and Oman. Swords of gold and silver studded with precious gemstones are manufactured by the company to meet demands from affluent customers.
Salah Al Ubaidali, Manager, Ghaith Essence of Swords, said that the price starts from QR1700 and would go up to QR40,000 depending upon the material used. He said those swords and daggers were mostly used in traditional dancing and decoration.
“As their blades are usually blunt, there is no bar on people buying it and they can easily be transported by air to other countries,” he added. Ubaidali further said that generally Qataris or GCC citizens used to buy them ‘but it is also bought by tourists”.
Experts believe that Arabic curved swords are designed for slashing attacks, which are more effective against unarmoured or lightly armoured opponents, especially when used from horse or camel back. On the other hand, straight swords are generally a compromise between thrusting and slashing. Thrusting is more effective against heavily armoured opponents.
