what were the working blades of India?

[spiral]

When I visited Nepal 5 years ago kukri, kora, sickles, bill hooks, rudimentry all metal knives etc.etc. were all widley used in Nepal.

Heres a group of devotees Last week at Bariyapur Nepal on their way to behead 10,000 buffalo & 240,000 chicken, pigeons, goats, pigs etc.to appease the goddess Gadhimai



The slaughter at the festival & many weapons/tools used can be seen at IKRHS in both photos & videao. { This is not for the squemish it looks like an open air abatour.But as I eat lots of meat what can i say.}

Spiral

linky.

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by spiral

When I visited Nepal 5 years ago kukri, kora, sickles, bill hooks, rudimentry all metal knives etc.etc. were all widley used in Nepal.

Heres a group of devotees Last week at Bariyapur Nepal on their way to behead 10,000 buffalo & 240,000 chicken, pigeons, goats, pigs etc.to appease the goddess Gadhimai



The slaughter at the festival & many weapons/tools used can be seen at IKRHS in both photos & videao. { This is not for the squemish it looks like an open air abatour.But as I eat lots of meat what can i say.}

Spiral

linky.

Hi Spiral,

Many thanks for your consideration of fellow forumites by not posting any explicit pictures and the warning.
I certainly wouldn't want to see it But am glad to have the choice to still enjoy the 'technical' aspects of this discussion whilst being able to avoid accidentally viewing the 'practical applications' of some of the items in question.

I once knew a chap, retired Colonel who was 'surgeon general' (Or whatever the title is) for Ghurka regiment back in the 50s. He told some rather graphic tales about this sort of thing and the general love of sharp things to the point of him often having to stitch soldiers back up from them frequently 'accidentally' cutting each other.
When he retired they presented him with a 'sword' sized Kuk which hung over his mantlepiece in Devon.
Presumably one used for this sort of thing.

Regards
Gene

[spiral]

Thanks Gene, for your comments & understanding, Yes indeed the pictures are not always good to see, even on the ikrhs link I advoided sharing those of obviously injured & distresed animals.

I feel sorry for the animals but its not my country or culture & I know I eat meat evry day so who am I to sit in public judgement.

Fascinating story of your surgeon friend, most officers come away with a kothimara & either a service issue, private purchase or villigers kukri, the men he looked after must have respected him deeply if they gave him a true sacraficial piece .

In respect of your sensebilities, heres a couple more just showing the devotees & tools/weapons.

Spiral

[ariel]

Well, animal sacrifice aside, another "working" example would be Nagas Dao.

[spiral]

Heres a few other working blade examples In Dharan & Kirtipur back in 2005...












Although some butchers {particularily in Dharan} use kukris, in many areas they use these more strangely cuved cleaver type tools { Photo from kathmandu by a freind there & sent to me a couple of years ago.}

spiral