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 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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