The myth of the Hanshee{sic.} unveiled.

spiral · 17th April 2005, 04:15 PM

The myth of the Hanshee unveiled......................

Simon & I have decided to do our individual posts on the various aspects as it is then easier for both of us to deal with the questians that may arrise.

During our visit to Nepal we elicted the information that confirmed some of are previous thoughts, namly that hanshee is a miss pronounced versian of hansiya the ladies sickle used for cutting crops.

when The late great Bill Martino introduced the term to the west many years ago he did qualify it as a fireside story which may be innacurate. Unfortuantly the term then entered kukri folklore & was used by all the main western collectors.

He also described the "Hanshee" bieng held in a small wooden belt piece, fairly definative proof of the misunderstanding as that is how the Hansiya is carried, it is also called the ladies kukri by some Nepalis a term Bill also used to describe the "Hanshee"

It is easy to see how conversation desribing such a kukri could be misunderstood.

We incountered similar problems ourselves & it took many hours of cross questing by Simon & I with our own individual stylesto get the clear clarification of different terms involved.

The Nepalis who currently use the term Hanshee said they had learnt it from the published sword forum articles & pictures, thus adding further to the confusion.

The so called Hanshee is refered to in Nepal as a hand & a half sirupate & double hand sirupate, depending on the length of handle, In Nepali these are Hatrayadha Sirupate & Doharohat Sirupate, respectivly } Further qualifying would be the use of angled , straight , crescent or curved blade.

Sometimes in coversation for simplicity they just say sirupate.

The many divisions & names used in the west such as Budhume{big belly} & long leaf are unkwown in Nepal other than when they have learnt it from westerners.bigbelly in nepali is actualy thulebhunri & long leaf would be lamepate not langopate although either way its not a term they use.

A broad bladed kukri is a Chaura Dhar or Chaurapat {broad leaf} kukri

So sadly the many divisions used by us in the west are mere fantasys in as far as any historical accuracy goes.

The so called Hanshee which many of us have taken to be very early {pre 1820 is often quoted.} was still being made in 1920 in full dress ivory, & horn handled kothimara hanshee for leading members of the ruling jats of Nepal, kings, premiers etc..

Although I am equaly as sure that many of the plainer wood handled ones are pre 1860 having studied the Nepal national museam collection.

So unfortuanatly if people wish to use authentic terminology instead of the inaccurace terms that have developed Hatrayadha Sirupate & Doharohat Sirupate are the true terms used for the various handle lengths, with various qualifications due to blade shape to truly define them.

All comments welcome.

Spiral

The true Hansiya.....{Hanshee{sic.}} {two of many shapes & versian we saw.}

Feel free to copy & use if you so wish but please include proper acknowedgment.

copywrite Spiral{JRS} 2005

17th April 2005, 04:15 PM	#1
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	The myth of the Hanshee{sic.} unveiled. The myth of the Hanshee unveiled...................... Simon & I have decided to do our individual posts on the various aspects as it is then easier for both of us to deal with the questians that may arrise. During our visit to Nepal we elicted the information that confirmed some of are previous thoughts, namly that hanshee is a miss pronounced versian of hansiya the ladies sickle used for cutting crops. when The late great Bill Martino introduced the term to the west many years ago he did qualify it as a fireside story which may be innacurate. Unfortuantly the term then entered kukri folklore & was used by all the main western collectors. He also described the "Hanshee" bieng held in a small wooden belt piece, fairly definative proof of the misunderstanding as that is how the Hansiya is carried, it is also called the ladies kukri by some Nepalis a term Bill also used to describe the "Hanshee" It is easy to see how conversation desribing such a kukri could be misunderstood. We incountered similar problems ourselves & it took many hours of cross questing by Simon & I with our own individual stylesto get the clear clarification of different terms involved. The Nepalis who currently use the term Hanshee said they had learnt it from the published sword forum articles & pictures, thus adding further to the confusion. The so called Hanshee is refered to in Nepal as a hand & a half sirupate & double hand sirupate, depending on the length of handle, In Nepali these are Hatrayadha Sirupate & Doharohat Sirupate, respectivly } Further qualifying would be the use of angled , straight , crescent or curved blade. Sometimes in coversation for simplicity they just say sirupate. The many divisions & names used in the west such as Budhume{big belly} & long leaf are unkwown in Nepal other than when they have learnt it from westerners.bigbelly in nepali is actualy thulebhunri & long leaf would be lamepate not langopate although either way its not a term they use. A broad bladed kukri is a Chaura Dhar or Chaurapat {broad leaf} kukri So sadly the many divisions used by us in the west are mere fantasys in as far as any historical accuracy goes. The so called Hanshee which many of us have taken to be very early {pre 1820 is often quoted.} was still being made in 1920 in full dress ivory, & horn handled kothimara hanshee for leading members of the ruling jats of Nepal, kings, premiers etc.. Although I am equaly as sure that many of the plainer wood handled ones are pre 1860 having studied the Nepal national museam collection. So unfortuanatly if people wish to use authentic terminology instead of the inaccurace terms that have developed Hatrayadha Sirupate & Doharohat Sirupate are the true terms used for the various handle lengths, with various qualifications due to blade shape to truly define them. All comments welcome. Spiral The true Hansiya.....{Hanshee{sic.}} {two of many shapes & versian we saw.} Feel free to copy & use if you so wish but please include proper acknowedgment. copywrite Spiral{JRS} 2005 Attached Images