Thuma (Dagger) and Sheath

Although their blades were often of inferior quality, Yemeni daggers had beautifully ornamented sheaths with elaborate silverwork, as seen here. These daggers, which symbolically highlighted male courage and strength, played an important role in certain dances by men. Daggers were positioned in belts made of colorful fabric. In addition to being silversmiths, Yemeni Jews excelled as producers of textiles and were known to weave the belts that held the daggers.

The dagger is inscribed in Arabic nusfi 1267, meaning "half" and 1267 (the date); it is inscribed in Hebrew mahasit (half). The date may be associated with the reign of al Mutawakkil "Ali (AH 1267) or that of al-Mansur Ahmad (AH 1266-67).