3 pix from shop 2. They tell quite a story.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

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Here's pix from shop 2 which we renamed BirGorkha.

top -- Kami Sherpa, the boss, inspecting a khukuri outside the shop in the sunlight.

pix 2 -- the famous high tech HI hair dryer driven forge.

pix 3 -- Kami is inspecting a blade and neither he nor the kami look too happy. Rework?

pix 4 -- Kumar Bishwakarma, maker of the Kobra and King Kobra. A young but up and coming kami. Notice he wears eye protection. Our shop is one of the few offering goggles for employees.

Because I have lived in Nepal and know the signs I want to share these observations with you. Look at the older kami. He is wearing jeans and is dressed fairly well. He is wearing shoes and a wristwatch. These are signs of wealth in Nepal and I am most happy to see this. It tells me this kami is getting enough pay to live moderately well -- most kamis go barefoot, wear ragged clothes and only dream of owning a watch.

Uncle Bill


[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 22 November 1999).]
 
Uncle Bill, Do the Kamis work in that squating position all day? It makes my knees and hips hurt just looking at them :0). Would you be kind enough to tell me what "Kami Sherpa" means? Also whats the difference between a "Kami" and "Village Kami"? Great pictures!

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Bill P
 
Hi Bill:

We need more Bills. We are outnumbered by Brians and Mikes.

They work that way all day and even eat lunch and drink tea in the same position. I have tried it and I am like you -- I gotta find a place to plunk it down!

Kami Sherpa is the bosses name. He was named Kami to fool the Angel of Death when she came around looking for new born infants to fill her quota. Kamis are low caste so the hope was the Angel would overlook Kami and opt for a higher caste. It worked.

A village kami is simply a kami who works in the village usually in his own shop.

Uncle Bill
 
Actually that squat is quite comfortable.Try it;it keeps your tail off the ground or water.You can fire a .30 cal. from it.It is quite stable.

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Yes, Bill, they do tell quite a story. I have traveled much of the world over the years and have seen all types of conditions. But have never had the opportunity to visit Nepal.

I think it is quite appropriate if you post pictures of various aspects of life in Nepal particularly involving your kami's to help further our understanding. Not just stuff at the shop, their lifestyle.

Thanks.
 
I talked with Gelbu, Kami's son, last night and he was just back from his journey of recruiting kamis and picking up some village knives. He took some pix and I'll post a couple of them as soon as they get here.

He had good success. Made a deal with a couple of village kamis to make some khukuris for us and hired a couple of very experienced village kamis who will come to work in shop 2.

One very sad incident was this. Gelbu met an old and dying kami who had a couple of khukuris he wanted to sell. Gelbu bought them and told me they were the last this old kami would ever make.

Uncle Bill
 
Uncle Bill,

Great pictures! And your observations are right on the money. This kami has on jeans, shirt, shoes, and status symbol numero uno - a wristwatch! This shows right away that he's doing pretty well and is confident enough about his earning capabilities that he can "splurge" on those little items which, I'm sure, makes him the envy of his community! I feel happy for him, and am glad the khukuris we buy help in the upliftment of these folks, as well as keep an ancient tradition alive.

Also, take a look at the exterior of the shop in photo #1 - it looks pretty new, and the red-brick structure and iron-grill windows shows this is an upscale establishment - by Nepal standards - not some fly-by-night venture. I'm sure the kamis feel good about working there.

- Sonam "just my 2 cent worth of observation"
 
Hi Nephew:

People who have lived there know what to look for. By US standards, shop 2 would be a pretty sad endeavor but by Nepal standards it is a class act.

We estimate that between shop 1 and 2 and the people in between we are providing food, clothing and shelter for about 100 people. USAID we ain't but every little bit helps.

Uncle Bill
 
Knowing that buying H.I. khukuris provides all those people in Nepal food and shelter, gives a great feeling in owning these Gurkha blessed knives.

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Thanks, Jay. I view it as one of those win-win situations.

Uncle Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 17 July 1999).]
 
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