Lahu Blacksmith

[dizos]

Last year my wife and I spent a night in a Lahu tribal village in northern Thailand. Apparantly they have a long tradition of metal working. The local blacksmith is also a holy man and all blades, muskets and tools are forged in a special room in a ceremonial manner (NOT open to public) in which a "spirit" is placed into the piece he is working on. Most men carry a stout blade at their waist and some also carry muzzle loading muskets (monkeys are their favorite game). I was told the iron for their blades were smelted from ore collected from a nearby river.

We were there for only a short time, but I made my appreciation of their metal work known and as we were leaving I was approached by a Lahu villager (whom I spent time with the evening before) who sold me a blade from their blacksmith. The blade as well as the man who sold it to me are pictured here: http://dizos.com/lahu_knife

I know the blade is very primitive, but it is very balanced and sharp -- capable of lopping through a 5" piece of bamboo with one (albeit practiced) swipe. I felt the knife building community would appreciate the craftmanship as well as the spiritual role the blacksmith plays in the Lahu community.

-- dizos

 

[Keith Montgomery]

If I had had the opportunity to do what you did, I would treasure that knife very much. It has a story and will always bring back pleasant memories of the people you met. It is also a very nice knife. Thanks for sharing and welcome to BladeForums.

 

[dizos]

Thanks for sharing and welcome to BladeForums.

Thank you for the welcome. I have been checking out this forum for the last few days and am really impressed by the knife community.

-- dizos

 

[misque]

I gotta chime in and agree with KM.
Welcome to the Forums!

That is one exceptionally cool knife. It is definately a keeper for life. I love the shape of the blade and the handle is quite unique.
Throw in the story that goes with it and here is a piece that'll keep the grandkids enthralled as grandpa tells the story behind the knife.

Thanks again for sharing!

 

[dizos]

I guess I should also add the grim facts. The Lahu people in Northern Thailand are rapidly being chewed up by the cash economy. They are an opium smoking culture (smoking it for generations), but recent "crack-downs" is landing many of them in jail, and since they are no longer able to grow it for themselves, they must purchase it on the black market for cash. It is a desperate situation. In fact, most of their daughters are "sold" to the Thai sex industry. Their culture probably will not last another 10 years and their fine blacksmithing techniques will come to an end.

-- dizos