The creatively designed decorative swords adoring the walls of Qatari homes and some of the old local museums are a treat for the eyes. Many of these were displayed prominently at the stall of a Qatari manufacturer at the Milipol Qatar 2016 which concluded yesterday.
‘Gheith Essence of Swords’ has a rich tradition in making aesthetically crafted swords, and their stall at the exhibition attracted a number of visitors.
“No celebration in this region, especially Qatar, is complete without the participants dancing while holding aloft decorated swords,” a company official said.
“Such swords are more of a tradition in the region and are extensively exhibited or showcased across the walls of the drawing rooms of many houses here. They are also gifted to the Gulf region’s citizens on such occasions as house warming ceremonies.”
The blunt swords are also given as gift by visitors to their hosts. The skilfully crafted pieces, with prices starting from QR2,500, are widely used at cultural activities of Qataris and on occasions like the Qatar National Day.
“We usually receive a large number of orders in the two months preceding to the Qatar National Day celebrations,” said the company official.
At the QND celebrations, locals dressed in their traditional costumes are seen in large numbers at the parade along Doha Corniche holding such immaculately designed swords, some atop horses and camels.
Most of the craftsmen employed for making such swords have come from the southern Indian state of Kerala. “On their tour of Souq Waqif, some of the Europeans and Americans ask these days for smaller versions of such swords to take home,” said the official.  
Apart from swords, many other artistic pieces to be used as wall hangings are also manufactured in Qatar.