Sgian-dubh
A sgian-dubh (/ˌskiːən ˈduː/ skee-ən-DOO; Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [s̪kʲənˈt̪u]) is a small, single-edged knife (Scottish Gaelic: sgian) worn as part of traditional Scottish Highland dress. It is now worn tucked into the top of the kilt hose with only the upper portion of the hilt visible. The sgian-dubh is normally worn on the same side as the dominant hand.
Etymology and spelling
[edit]The name comes from the Scottish Gaelic sgian-dubh, from sgian ('knife') and dubh ('black').
Other spellings are found in English, including skean-dhu[1] and skene-dhu.[2]
Legality
[edit]The wearing of the sgian-dubh is sometimes banned in areas with heightened security concerns. For example, they were banned from a school dance in Scotland,[3] and initially banned for the June 2014 celebration of the Battle of Bannockburn.[4]
Air travellers are sometimes required by airport security to put their sgian-dubh in their checked baggage.[5][6][7]
In 2016, a Montreal bagpiper received a $221 ticket from police for wearing his sgian-dubh in public; the fine was eventually cancelled by the City of Montreal in May 2018, and his knife was returned.[8][9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Skene dhu". Miriam Webster. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "skene1" Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd edition, 1989. [1] (subscription required).
- ^ "Top private school bans sgian-dubhs ahead of Christmas dance". The Scotsman. 26 November 2006. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "No More 'Sgian Dont!' Its Sgian Dubh at Bannockburn!". clans2014.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014..
- ^ "Travelling with culturally or religiously significant items". www.aviation.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "TSA Travel Tips: Travelling with Religious & Cultural Items". www.tsa.gov. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "Can I carry sharp-edged religious/cultural regalia/accessories (e.g. Kirpans, Sgian Dhub or Dirks) on my person or in my hand baggage?". Edinburgh Airport. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "Montreal bagpiper to contest ticket for carrying ceremonial knife". Montreal Gazette. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
- ^ "Ticketed Montreal bagpiper to get ceremonial knife back, have case dropped". Montreal Gazette. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
External links
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