HI Ken
This is a Bhuta or Theyyam sword which is used for the Ritual dance performance during the kola or theyyam ceremony in Coastal Karnataka and Kerala in south India,.these are typically made of forged iron and steel handles but in higer and rich familys they are also made of silver .The bhutas are ancestoral spirit guardians and protectors of the Agricultural lands of the Shetty and Nair clans of these regions who were basically a warrior clan but later became landlords.
Am putting up some pictures of the Bhuta kola ceremony where you will see the Masks used in the ritual dance and the Bhutasaana[deity house} and other ritual pictures for your reference .
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