A slightly unique Piha Kaetta

derek · 21st September 2007, 03:31 AM

Excellent pics, Thanks for posting. 893 is an odd one! The comparison between falcatta and more eastern weapons (the kukri for sure) is made often. The earliest celtic peoples of Europe are called indo-european, correct? I guess it's entirely plausible that the forms are related.
-d

Prasanna Weerakkody · 19th September 2011, 05:09 AM

Hi all,

I’m new to the list, but coming from Sri Lanka and for long involved in the study of Sinhala weapons I may be able to add to the discussion. first “Piha” (kandyan dialect) or “Pihiya” (Low country dialect) referrers to a knife in general. “Ketta” includes many forms of incurved blades. The knives generally referred to as “Piha-ketta” consists of a wide range of knives from utility knives to specialized scribes knives with the “ul-katuwa” or “panhinda” included and actual side arms, The ornamentation varies between the ones used by commoners and ones used by nobility. many may have been multipurpose in use. As far as I know the true weapons are the “Kirichchi” types which are narrow straight blades.

From the evidence available it seem that the “piha-ketta” knives originate at least by mid 16th Century possibly earlier. In my opinion the finest worked knives are the older types; the latter works show a steady degradation of finesse in line with most other Sinhala art-forms under the British occupation in 18th and 19th centuries.

On Maisey’s note as you have already corrected it the use of words in Sinhala; the correct term is “gal mita piha” (stone hilted knife) and “Vak piha” (curved knife) and not the other way around.

TVV · 19th September 2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prasanna Weerakkody

Hi all,

I’m new to the list, but coming from Sri Lanka and for long involved in the study of Sinhala weapons I may be able to add to the discussion.

Hi and wlecome to our little online community.
Regards,
Teodor

21st September 2007, 03:31 AM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Excellent pics, Thanks for posting. 893 is an odd one! The comparison between falcatta and more eastern weapons (the kukri for sure) is made often. The earliest celtic peoples of Europe are called indo-european, correct? I guess it's entirely plausible that the forms are related. -d

19th September 2011, 05:09 AM	#2
Prasanna Weerakkody Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 52	Hi all, I’m new to the list, but coming from Sri Lanka and for long involved in the study of Sinhala weapons I may be able to add to the discussion. first “Piha” (kandyan dialect) or “Pihiya” (Low country dialect) referrers to a knife in general. “Ketta” includes many forms of incurved blades. The knives generally referred to as “Piha-ketta” consists of a wide range of knives from utility knives to specialized scribes knives with the “ul-katuwa” or “panhinda” included and actual side arms, The ornamentation varies between the ones used by commoners and ones used by nobility. many may have been multipurpose in use. As far as I know the true weapons are the “Kirichchi” types which are narrow straight blades. From the evidence available it seem that the “piha-ketta” knives originate at least by mid 16th Century possibly earlier. In my opinion the finest worked knives are the older types; the latter works show a steady degradation of finesse in line with most other Sinhala art-forms under the British occupation in 18th and 19th centuries. On Maisey’s note as you have already corrected it the use of words in Sinhala; the correct term is “gal mita piha” (stone hilted knife) and “Vak piha” (curved knife) and not the other way around.