kindjal

The kindjal is a traditional double-edged short sword from the Caucasus, widely associated with Circassian (Adyghe) and other North Caucasian communities, including Abkhazians, Chechens, Dagestanis, Karachays, and Balkars. It served as both a battlefield weapon and a symbol of status, and its manufacture and use spread across the region from medieval times into the early modern period. In many areas it continued to be worn and valued into the 19th and early 20th centuries, surviving in ceremonial form and in folk memory even after firearms became dominant.

Design and construction are varied, but typical kindjals feature a straight or gently tapering blade that is broad near the base and double-edged, often with one or two shallow fullers running along the blade to reduce weight. The hilt generally includes a simple guard and a grip of wood, horn, or metal fittings, sometimes with a knuckle guard or modest quillons. Pommels range from rounded to disc-shaped forms. The blade is usually paired with a wooden or leather scabbard reinforced with metal mounts. Regional differences produce a range of sizes, decorations, and fittings, from utilitarian examples to finely inlaid ceremonial pieces.

In modern times the kindjal is primarily a ceremonial and collectible weapon, featured in museums and private collections. Reproductions and period examples appear in various scales, often used in traditional dances or as cultural symbols. The kindjal stands as a notable example of Caucasian arms craftsmanship, illustrating regional adaptation, utilitarian design, and the enduring cultural significance of weaponry in the Caucasus.