Nimcha

Nimcha
One of the oldest Nimcha on display, with a blade from the 16th century, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, originating from Algeria.
TypeSword
Service history
In service16th to 19th century
Used by15th to 16th century:
Marinid Sultanate
Kingdom of Tlemcen
Hafsid Kingdom
16th to 19th century:
Kingdom of Morocco
Deylik of Algiers
Beylik of Tunis

A Nimcha (Arabic: نمشة) is a single-handed sword from north Africa, especially used in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.[1][2] It is classified as a type of scimitar or saif.[3] Becoming popular in north Africa during the 16th century, surviving nimcha are usually from the late 18th century onward and are notable for often using older blades. Stylistically they often bore Arabian type handles with tugrah inscribed on the blade.[4]

  1. ^ David G. Alexander (31 December 2015). Islamic Arms and Armor in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 179. ISBN 978-1-58839-570-2.
  2. ^ Tristan Arbousse Bastide (2008). Du couteau au sabre. Archaeopress. p. 129. ISBN 978-1-4073-0253-9.
  3. ^ Zaky, A. Rahman (1961). "Introduction to the Study of Islamic Arms and Armour". Gladius. I: 17–29. doi:10.3989/gladius.1961.211.
  4. ^ Mohamed, Bashir (2008). The Art of the Muslim Knights: The Furusyya Art Foundation Collection. p. 77. ISBN 978-8876248771.