Ghorkas cut themselves? Is this possible?

G

Gwinnydapooh

Joined
Jan 20, 1999
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On another forum, I have encountered a gentleman who claims to have witnessed Ghorkas on a military transport flight cutting themselves with their Khukuris as a result of the old story (This knife must taste blood each time it is drawn.)

Now, I sort of jumped his case, but I wanted to check--is it at all possible that he really saw this?

(Actually, I just thought of another possibility--do the Ghorkas ever spread this story on purpose? I mean, would a Ghorka think it was worth it to cut himself just to teach the Americans a lesson and have a laugh at their expense?)

His story:
That is very true. I was on a transport flight once (141) and there was a group of them. Some American idiot said "Wow, that's a cool knife and pulled it out." Everyone went stiff, and then the Indian guy took it back, cut himself with it and put it up.
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My response:
Now, if you personally witnessed Ghorkas cutting themselves in a fit of devotion, I can't argue with that. But let me get this straight:

You were on a flight with a group of Ghorkas?

On this flight, an American (presumably, soldier or marine) thought a Ghorka's Khukuri was cool, so he took it away from the Ghorka and drew it out of the scabbard? Before the Ghorka could stop him?

The Ghorka's only reaction to this brazen act of rudeness and stupidity was to cut himself?
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The interesting part of all this is that the exchange above takes place on Bullshido.net, a website dedicated to stamping out "Bullshido." In other words, it's where skeptics gather to debunk myths and frauds in the martial arts. But before I say something for which I can't apologize, might this guy be telling the truth?
 
I rarely say 'never' . I don't know the answer to this one, though. I have moved the thread to the Cantina.

If there were a Ghurka on a plane, and an 'american idiot' 'took it away' and pulled the kukri from the sheath, do I think it likely a highly trained and devout disciplined soldier, would, (" The Ghorka's only reaction to this brazen act of rudeness and stupidity was to cut himself?" ) quotes GwinnydaPooh's

Cut the other soldiers arm off? Scream and pronounce the beginning of a death match? What?

If it happened, perhaps the Ghurka was cleansing the blade from the unwanted presence of the other. That does not neccesarily mean all the blades have to draw blood if pulled. I'm sure someone British and informed about all this will arrive and weigh in.

munk
 
I thought this had been talked about before. Didn't someone say that it was just a story the Ghorkas spread so that people would quit bugging them about seeing their "cool knife"?

Jake
 
Yes, it's been talked about before. It must not have registered very high up on my priorities because I can't remember the 'answer'. I'm willing to bet the answer is not the neccesity of the Ghurka soldier pulling his heart from his chest and stomping it to spam on the deck.


munk
 
Yea or nay ? Not my say . I do imagine it would be fairly rude but pssible for it to happen . I would think a Kukuuri would be hard to draw out unless approached from the right angle . Would that preclude the possibility of a covert drawing of the knife from a trained soldiers belt ? Maybe it wasn,t on him .

There is also the fact that devotion to duty as in adherence to religious beliefs would vary from individual to individual . Not all catholics want to be priests .
 
http://www.army.mod.uk/brigade_of_gurkhas/history/kukri_history.htm

"The kukri has somehow produced a fertile crop of myths and legends in the western world; and the most impossibly wild amongst them are the most tenaciously believed. Two already mentioned are that a kukri once drawn in whatever circumstances must taste blood before it is resheathed. ........ If the first of these were true no Gurkha would survive to adulthood: He would lose pints of blood every day as he chopped wood, sharpened a wooden peg, opened a tin of beans and slashed down encroaching undergrowth. After each task he would have to shed some of his own blood."

I've heard the same thing said about katanas.
 
Another link I found throws a little confusion into the equation by stating that in "COMBAT situations"

In times past, it was said that once a Khukuri was drawn in battle, it had to 'taste blood' - if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning into its sheath.
 
I thought that was in "Dune"...where the fictional tooth of a sandworm had to be fed or it would weaken and fail.

Where is our Dune expert when you need him? Bruise???


I actually believe this is bunk or a case of testosterone overrun where the guy figured he'd show off how tough he was.
 
Well the story sounds bullshit. Grab at most solders belt knife I would think a poke in the eye the logical response.{But thats just how I think. :D }

And many people say its always a lie & I am sure Gurkhas have often used it as a line to shut people up a bit like, "If I told you, then I would have to kill you.":rolleyes:


But I have spoken to several WW2 veterans who served alongside Gurkhas in Burma who swear they have seen Gurkhas nick themselves. One was my father.

But it was also by one of these sources stated they they only did it if they carried heirloom traditional kukris that there fathers /grandfathers had given them to use as a warrier.

Not the standard issue ones.

Which sounds about right to me.

In 1914 in France it is on record that they would cut girls & womens fingers for luck for both the women & Gurkhas {at the womens insistance, I hasten to add:D } {This was in Marseille.} presuably with whatever kukri they had & apparently it was considered good fun by all.;)

And of course traditionaly all British army kukris are bloodied at Dashien, although in the UK nowadays they pretend a marrow is a bull. :jerkit:

So I think in essence,

True warriers kukris like blood.

Your average Nepali gardening/household tool or wood chooper kukri might not need it so much.;)


Spiral
 
Khukuris love blood...?

I've been distresssed for more than 20 years, since watching the TV ad concerning a new formula of dog food. 'Dogs Love Cheese" I was informed. I guess we live in a world where dogs love cheese and blades love blood? Do squirrels eat steak? Kevin the Grey- come to my aid- I'm writing just like you now!!!!




munk
 
That may be true. Who would I be not to acknowledge the live feel of these wonderful blades?

I'm just glad we haven't gotten into the virgins yet, or the steaming entrails.

munk
 
I've heard these sayings too. And from what I'd gathered, it was a combat thing. Though honestly, I haven't done a lot of research on it.

I will vouch that each kukri has it's on soul and distinct personality, so as Spiral says, some like wood, and others like blood, I'm inclined to agree. (although it's hard to fathom when one think on it too hard).

As for the squirrels eating steak, I've got an aggressive little red squirrel here, and I'd bet he'd love it if I threw a T-Bone or Porterhouse out for him.:D

mike
 
I had a 15" AK once that bit me. I gave it to a friend. The rest of the blades don't seem to want my blood.



munk
 
Ah Munk . Truth to be told . it is best to hold to ones own path when it comes to writing . I appear to embellish when in truth I hold back for the truth is often disbelieved by the fearful . I wish I had the force of direction your writing has . Then I might not be able to weave my tales . To each their own .

As for the Kukurri being blooded when drawn ? I think there is truth in it . With truth in it there can be no lie . Distortion over the years , Miscommunication and the biggest of them all misunderstanding . These are not lies unless used by a liar . I think there is a basis of truth . I also stand by my original statement . Not all follow the same religious paths or beliefs with the same intensity or devotion .
 
Quote.
"As for the Kukurri being blooded when drawn ? I think there is truth in it . With truth in it there can be no lie . Distortion over the years , Miscommunication and the biggest of them all misunderstanding . These are not lies unless used by a liar . I think there is a basis of truth "

Sounds about right to me.

Spiral
 
I don't know what this portends; when Kevin the Grey and spiraltwista come to a philosophical agreement.


munk
 
munk said:
I don't know what this portends; when Kevin the Grey and spiraltwista come to a philosophical agreement.


munk
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Sounds like the chaos theory righting itself . If chaos can ever be righted ?
If Chaos can be righted , what would be lefted ? L:O:L
 
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