Back to Melee Weapon Search
Jambiya
Blade, Dagger, Middle East, Sidearm, Africa
The curved dagger of Arabia, still carried today as part of traditional attire in places like Yemen, is called a jambiya. It looks similar to a curved Roman pugio, in its crudest form, it is a simply made double-edged, broad-bladed curved dagger with a central ridge and a sharp point.
Jambiyas are primarily for slashing but can thrust effectively as well. They were carried as a civilian weapon for personal protection (and an indication of status) and as a secondary battlefield sidearm in exactly the manner as a Roman pugio or a Medieval dagger. Similar weapons were used in various parts of the Middle East, Persia, India, north and east Africa and Central Asia. One of the most important variations of the jambiya is the Sikh kirpan, which is worn as a religious obligation by all baptized Sikhs (members of the Khalsa) as part of their commitment, as “saint soldiers”, to protect the innocent.
Jambiya, Yemen, 19th Century
A gorgeous 17th Century Persian Jambiya with gold inlay, this would be a +5 Ehren weapon.
Magnificent Mughal Jambiya, 18th Century, India. Walrus tusk hilt with rubies and rose quarts, silver bridle on the horse-head, wootz steel blade. This is a D8 damage weapon, Hardness 12, +10 Ehren
Name | Size | Reach | Speed | Defense | Base Damage | Attack Types | Primary Attack Types | Armor Pierce | Grapple | Hardness | HP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jambiya | T | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1-6 | SP | S | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 |


