Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Karud dagger with unusual chased scabbard

ariel · 12th December 2022, 06:06 PM

And, BTW, I frown upon the use of the term “Khyber knife” in books and other professional publications.
First, this moniker was given to it by the Brits who did not know of, or did not care about, its real name.
Second, it implies that this weapon was endemic specifically to the Khyber Pass area. In fact, it was produced and used in other Afghani areas, in CA Khanates ( somewhere here there was a photo of a whole slew of them sold as butcher meat choppers), in India and (in a slightly modified form) even in Persia ( See Fiegel, #2095, 2096).

Interestingly, “ ch’hura” is more correct: it is a word with Sanscritic roots meaning a knife.
In formal publications the native term “ selava” is, IMHO, mandatory. It is its true local name and, having learned it, we are obligated to use it.

I take my hat of to Indonesian and Philippine gurus who are very careful, almost persnickety, about terminology.

Again, in informal exchanges we can call it whatever is convenient for the occasion.

12th December 2022, 06:06 PM	#30
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	And, BTW, I frown upon the use of the term “Khyber knife” in books and other professional publications. First, this moniker was given to it by the Brits who did not know of, or did not care about, its real name. Second, it implies that this weapon was endemic specifically to the Khyber Pass area. In fact, it was produced and used in other Afghani areas, in CA Khanates ( somewhere here there was a photo of a whole slew of them sold as butcher meat choppers), in India and (in a slightly modified form) even in Persia ( See Fiegel, #2095, 2096). Interestingly, “ ch’hura” is more correct: it is a word with Sanscritic roots meaning a knife. In formal publications the native term “ selava” is, IMHO, mandatory. It is its true local name and, having learned it, we are obligated to use it. I take my hat of to Indonesian and Philippine gurus who are very careful, almost persnickety, about terminology. Again, in informal exchanges we can call it whatever is convenient for the occasion.