jamadhar katari???

[weapons 27]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This is a jamadhar katari, a distinct dagger form associated with the Kalash people (also known as Kaffirs) from Chitral regions in Hindu Kush area.
I do believe the hilts on these were typically cast, and I agree this does appear to be a spearhead. The blade bolster resembling many katars and the khandas seem to suggest this coming from regions somewhat south.

The Kaffirs were the tribal people who were situated in Kafiristan (known from Kiplings "Man Who Would be King" ) and many left there into Chitral in late 19th c. when Abdur Rahman Khan of Afghanistan invaded there. Thier animist beliefs of course highly conflicted with those imposed by Khan leading to thier dispora.

The history of the Kalash is most fascinating. Apparantly many of these daggers seem to appear in Nepal as I was told by a German collector particularly intrigued by these.

Thanks for the info jim