The kamis and sarkis send a message to us all -- please read.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
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The kamis and sarkis have asked me to relay a message to all the HI extended family and it is this.

"Without all of you all over the world who buy the khukuris we make we would be cold and hungry. We pray for all of you everyday and to all we send our sincere blessings and thanks. We cannot tell those who sent gifts how much we appreciate them. To those who sent pictures so we could see you we send our great thanks. There is no way that we can tell you in words how much we appreciate your support and there is no way that we can ever repay you for what you have done and continue to do for us. We send all of you our greatest thanks and blessings and we want you to know that if you ever come to Nepal you will be most wecome at our homes."

In order for this to make the sense it should I need to provide a little background information. Nepal is the seventh poorest country in the world -- up from third when I first came here. The per capita income here is about $150 per year. The underemployment and unemployment combined runs 75 to 80 percent. The poor here are hungry and cold and go barefoot. Like most third world countries there is essentially no middle class -- there are the haves and have nots. Kamis and sarkis generally fall into the have not category. So, just having a job is a very real blessing. Knowing this, let me give you a little more information.

Our top producer at BriGorkha is Kumar and this is because he works hard and very long hours. Sometimes he shows up for work at 4AM and will work until 8 PM. He has two helpers or apprentices whom he pays himself from the wages he earns. His best month so far earned him 25,000 rupia. This is about $260 US dollars -- almost twice the yearly per capita income. Kumar will pay his helpers about 3,000 rupia each which is excellent wages for a helper -- most helers will get perhaps 1,000 in other shops. The average kami in Nepal will make 2,000 rupia per month , so you can see Kumar's income is astounding by Nepal standards. The pay scale goes down according to individual production but even the lowest producer at BirGorkha earns about 10,000 rupia per month.

Because of this pay and the small perks they receive the kamis, sarkis and their families are so filled with gratitude and so intent on expressing this gratitude that to me personally it is embarrassing. They want to call me, Yangdu and Pala, gods -- something for which I scold and chastise them unmercifully. I have explained to them that whatever they think I do for them I actually do for myself to improve my karma and I thank them for providing me with the opportunity. I am not sure they understand.

So, if there is anybody out there who has a message for the kamis and sarkis regarding this outpouring of thanks, blessings, praise let me hear it and I will pass it along.

Blessings to all from Suryabenai!

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Karma and prayers know no distance or space, and their thanks shows up in every great khukuri we get.

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JP
 
Bill, elsewhere I suggested putting out the word at the Sherpa Assn, and the Sherpa Arts Ctr. at Bhouda Pipal-bot about locating a Kancha kami / Sherpa style khuk pommel.

If you are able to, could you check on the situation re substance abuse resources within
Nepal with Sherpa Thupten Lama or other appropriate people. You know that my professional interests are in facilitation of human svcs, and generalist social work as well as substance abuse. I'm not finding any resources in substance abuse listed in my forays on the net. If english language texts, references, sources, human assets would be of any help, I'd be willing to try to match resources and needs. That's what I do - pull rabbits out of hats and hats out of rabbits.

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Himalayan Imports Website

Howard's H.I. Khukuri FAQ

Common Forum Abbreviations
 
Uncle Bill,
Please tell everyone there that they are doing an excellent job! I feel so proud to have Khukuris made by them. Also, when I get a chance,I would also like to visit Nepal and see everyone in person.
 
I am appreciative of the work put out by all those involved in the making of a good khukuri. They're preserving a tradition and sharing with the world a bit of themselves. We are fortunate to receive not only a great tool but of the spirit that is in each and every blade.

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
Bill,
If you would.... Ask One of the guys for me.. Smith to Smith if he would take the time to show you the colors and if you could please!!!! get some pics if and when he does, I would be most greatful.
Dan
This, is ment as a high complement to their skill. And to the Sarkis, "I know the difficulties and appreciate their efforts, even when the results aren't to perfection.
In pre-Christian Ireland the Smiths were Seers and Were among the highest in the social order. Today a skilled metalsmith is still held in high esteem.
[This message has been edited by Dan K (edited 02-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dan K (edited 02-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dan K (edited 02-15-2000).]
 
Uncle Bill, You can tell all the HI family over there that their thanks are welcome and appreiciated(even though not needed) It's a winning situation for us all. I personally think that the Birgorkha Crew is a great group. They make the kukhris that we carry into the forests and deserts, we depend on the tools as much as the kamis depend on us. I know that my kukri will never fail, I only wish that I could be that reliable. Thank you to the Kamis and Sarkis.

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"Clear a path for the Kukhri or it will clear one for itself"
 
Uncle Bill, please convey to the kamis and sarkis that I, for one, feel blessed by the relationship with them. I feel that I have received from them far more than they have received from me. They have not only provided me with khukuris of unsurpassed quality, they have given me the benefit of their spirituality and wisdom. I feel that my life is much richer because of my dealings with them through HI. My wish for them is that every day be a day of many blessings, and that every night be a night of peace and contentment.
 
Blessings to all in Nepal uncle Bill: I hope to go there in the near future and visit everyone.

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Uncle,
Tell all that we are indeed grateful for the expertise and care that they put into each knife that they make. I'm glad that they are being paid better than other kamis in the country, if you are the best, you should be paid accordingly. The dedication that they show to quality deserves applause. This relationship is definitely a win-win situation. Keep the Kewl Khuks Koming!

Rob

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Nothing soothes the nerves like a sharp knife in hand...
 
Dido Bill,

From your background note, it is quite evident that our khukuri purchases have made a big difference in their and their families lives.
I hope that this trend can continue and expand so that more people are positively affected.

Please convey my thanks to all associated with BirGhorka and wish them well as they continue to improve their skills and education in order to make even better khukuris for us. I would be especially interested in seeing the positive effects on their children, for they are the ones who are and continue to be affected by their parent(s) improved economic wellbeing.

One day I hope to do this in person.

Harry
 
The kamis need to understand that we do NOT view them as low-class. In our view, a good craftsman in any field is highly respected; really good ones are nationally or even internationally known.

That's why some of us are asking for blades produced by the masters such as Bura to be so marked.

Bill, maybe this will help: they've seen airplanes flying overhead, they must realize these are basically metalcrafts. We literally trust our lives to skilled metalsmiths; we don't mistreat such people. If we're in the wilderness somewhere, we may end up trusting our lives to a Khukuri and we want metalsmiths just as valued as airplane metalsmiths.

One American kami who now does knife-blade heat-treating used to do the same thing for jet airplane engines - Paul Bos.

Jim
 
Dear kamis and sarkis,

I deeply respect you as carriers of ancient traditions of excellence in metalworking and leatherworking. It is good to see the world acknowledging the value of your traditions.

I do not think we have yet seen the best work that you can do.

It is a great honor to have been invited to your homes. If I return to Nepal I will accept your offer.

Namaste.

Howard
 
Bill -

If it's not too late to pass on a message; if you can find out who made the machaera, please thank him from me and tell him that I consider it a privilege and an honor to own such an outstanding piece of work, which I hope to pass on to my grandchildren; also that, as someone who loves to play with hammer and anvil myself, I can begin to understand a little of the extraordinary wealth of skill and experience that went into making such a blade.

Thanks
 
Bill,

Please let the kamis know that they are a link to the past and a bridge to the future. No matter how rich nor how poor one is, sharing the past to enlighten the future is a way of ensuring the existence of mankind. Saying "Thanks" doesn't start to say how much we honor them when holding one of their works of art.

Rick
 
Dear Uncle Bill, please express my gratitude to them in return, and tell them the following for me:

"Your prayers and blessings help me the many mornings it is difficult to get up and refuse to spend that day in anger and hate. There is so little room left for anything of beauty in my life the days I fail.

"Your prayers and blessings help me as I try to make a committment to joy each day. To do justly. To cherish giving and receiving lovingkindness. To walk humbly with my God and listen for his guidance. To live and laugh and dance and cry, each and every day I am given. I sometimes don't do that very well at all.


Explain that some of their spirit becomes part of each khukuri they send. And finally, please let Sanu know how Surya, Chandra, Tara is cherished by me, as something worthy of a hero.

Where there is charity and love, there is God.

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Himalayan Imports Website

Howard's H.I. Khukuri FAQ

Common Forum Abbreviations
 
Before I forget, Prakash made the Machaera. Although a bit undependable he is an excellent kami -- high journeyman level.

I have tried to let the kamis know by both word and deed that I do not observe the caste system and consider them to be brothers. When they appear at the door of our deera here in Anamnagar I invite them in and offer them food and drink and send them away with a 100 rupia note in their pocket. I suspect this is quite bothersome to our neighbors but I don't give a damn. Welcome to the world of Uncle Bill.

From my own experience and point of view I'd rather cast my lot with the kamis than with some of the higher ups I know. The kamis are REAL!

Rusty, I know how you feel and admire your willingness to help those who need your particular brand of help but I just don't have the time right now to do the search. I figure I'd better keep treading the ground I'm most familiar with and do the most good where I'm at. When I return I might be able to contact some folks here where you can apply your own brand of expertise. Your willingness to extend is one of the reasons I consider you a brother.

To all, I have already told the kamis much of what you have said here. They are not quite sure what to make of this but I think that the example I set here on a daily basis makes them more willing to accept the truth.

Blessings to all from all of us at Anamnagar and Suryabenai!

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
good 'nuff - we'll talk when you get back.

There is probably a lot available that I have no idea where to look for. Who knows how much of the info I have could be useful. But it's always been fun pulling resources out of thin air like magic. Haven't done that in too long.
 
:
Uncle Bill I have started to respond to this thread several times now and just couldn't do it.

Tell the Kamis and Sarkis for me that I too come from a people who are many times outcasts in their own land also. The things I make and bless to send off to friends and loved ones and many times to people I don't know I always try to put part of my Spirit into that object as well. The blessngs I do are similar in ways except I use the smoke from different trees and plants to clean the object from anything bad that may have slipped into it from perhaps any anger or other bad feelings I may have had while working on it.
I pray that those things will always be used in a good way and to the benefit of all.

Their khukuri's and the means to carry them about safely with the Blessing they are given by themselves who are so similar in belief and Spirt mean so much to me. I always hope to use their khukuri's in a good way, whatever that way is to not bring any Dishonor to myself or those who made it.

We are all Related and I consider all of them too be my Brothers and Sisters.
I thank them all for their Prayers and Blessings. As you say, "they cannot be bought."
Our Prayers and Blessings are also sent to them each and everytime we hold Ceremony.


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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"Know your own bone, gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it again."

'Thoreau'

Khukuri FAQ
 
Uncle,

Please tell the kamis and sarkis that I too feel grateful to THEM for spending all day over a scorching hot forge, weilding a giant hammer, just to make me my khukuris. (Or working the leather, and stiching all day) It means so much more to know that these knives and scabbards are made by truly decent and honorable men that take such pride in their work. If only more people here in the U.S. had their kind of work ethic and spririt of goodwill towards others! Please tell them that their letter of thanks meant alot, and if possible made my khukuris even more special than they were.

P.S. Uncle , please tell the kamis that my wife and I just found out some near miracle type medical news--long story short-- I thought I was going to lose her and now she is fine and healthy. Please tell them that their prayers were never more appreciated, and I will always be thankful to them for goodwill and prayers sent our way.

our prayers are with everyone at Birgorkha.

Rob
 
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