Blacksmiths in the Crucible of Caste and Change
Accounts of using khukuris, traditional daggers, to counter enemy rifles are common in Nepali history. However, let’s not forget the blacksmiths who crafted these iconic weapons. Even today, the Kami community, well known for its metalwork, remains socially excluded.
Blacksmiths, known for preserving the nation’s agricultural and metalworking heritage, continue to face caste-based discrimination despite the caste system’s legal abolition in 1963. Industrialisation has also gradually eroded the blacksmith trade. Technology has reduced the need for time-consuming, meticulous, and intricate design work. Mass production has replaced handcrafted metalwork. The traditional trade is at risk of disappearing as a source of income, thereby undermining its cultural and financial significance.
Although traditional blacksmiths still survive, not every craftsman has access to modern tools; many rely on traditional metalworking techniques, using hammers and anvils, which weakens their competitiveness. Equipping them with modern tools to work faster and produce higher-quality products might help.
Support for the Kamis
Khukuri House Handicraft Industry, better known as KHHI Nepal, has been one of the largest manufacturers and retailers of authentic khukuri knives since 1989 and has also served as the official supplier and manufacturer for the British Gurkhas on many occasions.
Recognising the socio-economic challenges, KHHI and other tool manufacturers have launched the programme ‘Support Our Kamis’. This initiative aims to improve blacksmiths’ living standards by providing basic needs and social welfare support, helping them overcome barriers rooted in traditional myths and social stigma, and ensuring the craft of khukuri-making endures over time.
Kami toolkits often include the Swedish cross-pein hammer, which is essential for creating and shaping metal objects. Thak Ironworks, a blacksmithing company based in Canada, manufactures these hammers. They specialise in bespoke metal orders, blending classic blacksmithing with contemporary design, and offer an array of blacksmithing tools that could greatly benefit Nepali craftsmen.
Another important tool is the anvil, used for shaping and lengthening metal. Professional Farrier Supplies in Ontario recommends the 35-pound Cliff-Carroll anvil for blacksmiths in Nepal. Compact and portable, it allows swift relocation.
A Stigma of Impurity
Societal prejudice against blacksmiths runs deep. Many seek blacksmiths’ services for ironwork and other tasks, yet do not regard them as equal in society. The unequal exchange is evident in the common practice of trading food and grain for blacksmiths’ products. Blacksmiths also remain socially separated because they are considered unhygienic.
One example is Manbir Kami, a metalsmith from Sindhupalchowk, who recalls being forced to fetch water before sunrise to avoid confrontation at public water sources, as Dalits were not permitted to collect water alongside higher castes.
There remains a stigma of impurity attached to social vices, witchcraft, and jealousy, set against the backdrop of wealth and prosperity. These outdated perceptions enable economic exploitation and other forms of discrimination.
The Struggle for Modernity
The Kami community is clearly willing to embrace modernity and improve their traditional blacksmithing, but affordability and access to modern tools remain significant challenges.
Kamali Bishwakarma, a blacksmith from Sikkim, showed a strong desire to adopt technology after completing government-funded training, which revealed that using a metal grinder increased her productivity.
However, because such training and access to tools are often government-funded or provided through external support, they cannot afford these advances on their own.
A case study on Kami access to charcoal, one of the main products used in their craft, found that community forestry programmes in Nepal often exclude Kami from freely collecting charcoal, forcing them to buy it at market prices.
This raises production costs and reduces profitability, leaving little scope to improve shop conditions or invest in new equipment. The study concludes that Kami blacksmiths cannot modernise their craft without substantial external support, such as subsidised fuel or equipment, despite their desire to do so.
Government Efforts
Legal frameworks, including the National Dalit Commission and various acts, aim to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Dalits, including the Kami. However, industrial or economic support remains limited. Some vocational training workshops, such as those run by Khukuri House, offer practical training in traditional blacksmithing, helping to preserve the craft and create income opportunities.
The government and other non-governmental organisations have encouraged Kami participation in small-scale industries, handicrafts, and other local businesses by providing loans, training, and support for market access.
Another example is the implementation of vocational training programmes and capacity-building initiatives to help Kami artisans adapt their current skills to the demands of the contemporary marketplace and transition into related professions.
The Path Forward
Providing blacksmiths with modern tools from small businesses such as Thak Ironworks and Professional Farrier Supplies could breathe new life into their trade. This collaboration could create opportunities for global market expansion, offering small businesses international prospects while helping to preserve a traditional craft.
Empowering blacksmiths with the tools and support they need will help break the cycle of socio-economic dependence, elevate their standingwithin their communities, and preserve a key part of Nepal’s cultural heritage.
References
A Case Study of Kami Access to Charcoal
NFDIN Act 2002
