Page 10 - Oct-Dec 2018

Wood and The Warrior!

In India, weapons have a very wide and diverse history. Different regions have unique weapons of their own. Because
of the hardy characteristics of wood, it is often the main material that is used for making these weapons. Take a look
at some of them.

nAGA sPeAr VeL

One of the main offensive weapons of the A spear, known as
Nagas is the spear. Its shape and pattern Vel in South India,
varies from tribe to tribe. It is about six is a kind of a pole weapon. It has a long shaft, usually
feet long and is made of a light but strong wooden, which ends with a pointed head – either
wood. It is always tipped with a spike on its a triangular metallic piece, or simply the sharpened
end. Nagas in war carry two spears each. wooden end of the shaft itself.

VALArI
dAo
A valari or valai tadi
Dao is a multi- is a throwing stick
purpose weapon. It used primarily by the
is used to fell trees, Tamil people of India
cut fowl, divide and Sri Lanka. Valari are usually made of wood or iron,
meat, and even kill although some may have wooden limbs tipped with iron.
enemies – in fact They were used in war, fighting, and hunting.
for any kind of work
involving cutting.
It is a lifelong GAdA
companion of
the Naga. The In India mythology, a Gada is a very usual
weapon consists of weapon. It is often wooden and comprises
a blade about twelve inches long. The blade is fitted into of a spherical metal head, with a sharp
a wooden handle which is tightly bound with cane. The tip on one end, attached onto a
weapon is carried in an open wooden scabbard. shaft.

DID YOU KNOW?

.303 rifles are wooden rifles that have been used BoW And ArroW
by the Indian army on various occasions. It was used
by soldiers during both the World Wars. The Indian Archery was an essential
police can still be seen using this rifle! military and hunting skill before
firearms came into existence.
Earlier, the bows were rather
simple; they were made out
of pliant elastic wood for its
lightness. Even the arrows were
usually made of wood shafts.

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