Koummya

The Koummya, (also Khoumija or Koumaya; Arabic: كمية) is a North African Dagger. It is mainly used in the Sous region and in the Atlas Mountains in the south of Morocco.

Koummya كمية
A Koummya
Type	Dagger
Place of origin	Maghreb
Service history
In service	Moroccan Goumier (professional use)
Used by	Berbers and Moroccan Goumier
Wars	France: World War 1 World War 2
Specifications
Mass	about 30 cm
Length	about 40 cm
Blade length	about 25 cm
Blade type	Double-edged, slightly curved blade .
Hilt type	Shovel shape with decorations
Scabbard/sheath	Varies; usually metal

Description

The Koummya has a double-edged, slightly curved blade. The edge on the inwardly curved side of the blade begins after a short ricasso. The edge on the outward-curving side of the blade is shorter and begins about halfway down. Many of the blades are of European origin. The pommel has the characteristic shape of a peacock's tail. The scabbard has projections on both sides with attachment options for the thin hanging strap.

As in many other areas of the Arab world, the dagger is part of the traditional male costume. The Koummya is worn on the hanging strap, which runs like a bandolier from the shoulder diagonally across the upper body, on the left hip.

The shape of the Koummya resembles a boar's tusk and is supposed to protect against the evil eye.

It may be related to the Italian ear dagger from the late Middle Ages, as there are certain similarities in the pommel. In contrast, the dagger Genoui, which is also found in Morocco, has a straight blade.

Literature

• Christopher Spring: African arms and armor. Publisher Smithsonian Institution Press, 1993, ISBN 978-1-56098-317-0

External links

• Pitt Rivers Museum: Koummya (English, accessed on December 20, 2014)
• Lee A. Jones: Koummya: Moroccan Daggers on http://www.vikingsword.com/, April 21, 2001 (English, accessed on December 20, 2014)
• Several versions with short descriptions at Oriental-Arms (English, accessed on December 20, 2014)