Koont from Rajasthan

blue lander · 30th July 2015, 08:00 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNUYGRn3W9Q&feature=youtu.be&t=2m46s

I was watching this documentary about "Cobra Gypsies", the Kalbeliyas from Rajasthan, and I noticed an unusual tool they were using to chop wood and clear brush. It appears to be called a Koont. Has anybody seen anything like it?

Ian · 2nd August 2015, 12:17 AM

Blue:

Thanks for posting these pictures and the link to the video. I have met similar people as these in Gujarat (a neighboring State to Rajastan), although there they were designated as Lalwadi or Puhlwadi (two closely related, nomadic tribal groups, also from Rajastan). They used a brush axe with a curved blade having the sharpened edge on the concave side of the curve. I don't know what they called their knife/axe.

The tool you show (koont) could certainly do some damage if used as a weapon, as could the curved machete I have seen.

These snake workers are listed among the darlit castes (untouchables) and live by their wits. In addition to displays of snake charming and performing magic tricks, some of them use their snakes (cobras are rendered harmless of course by removing fangs and poison glands) in special spiritual and religious ceremonies, including healing. The cobra is considered a sacred entity in Hinduism.

Interestingly, the language of the Romany gypsies of Europe includes many Gujarati words, similar to the dialect spoken by these snake workers. There is a theory that the Romany gypsies are descended from the nomadic peoples of Rajastan and Gujarat.

Ian.

30th July 2015, 08:00 PM	#1
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Koont from Rajasthan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNUYGRn3W9Q&feature=youtu.be&t=2m46s I was watching this documentary about "Cobra Gypsies", the Kalbeliyas from Rajasthan, and I noticed an unusual tool they were using to chop wood and clear brush. It appears to be called a Koont. Has anybody seen anything like it? Attached Images

2nd August 2015, 12:17 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	Blue: Thanks for posting these pictures and the link to the video. I have met similar people as these in Gujarat (a neighboring State to Rajastan), although there they were designated as Lalwadi or Puhlwadi (two closely related, nomadic tribal groups, also from Rajastan). They used a brush axe with a curved blade having the sharpened edge on the concave side of the curve. I don't know what they called their knife/axe. The tool you show (koont) could certainly do some damage if used as a weapon, as could the curved machete I have seen. These snake workers are listed among the darlit castes (untouchables) and live by their wits. In addition to displays of snake charming and performing magic tricks, some of them use their snakes (cobras are rendered harmless of course by removing fangs and poison glands) in special spiritual and religious ceremonies, including healing. The cobra is considered a sacred entity in Hinduism. Interestingly, the language of the Romany gypsies of Europe includes many Gujarati words, similar to the dialect spoken by these snake workers. There is a theory that the Romany gypsies are descended from the nomadic peoples of Rajastan and Gujarat. Ian.