THE Ka-wait-rit, the traditional dao of the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya, is a wonderful example of indigenous tribal weaponry. It consists of a long iron blade broad at the hilt with a slightly crescent-shaped edge tapering gradually downward. The entire blade has a slightly convex profile and is adept for slicing and cutting, whether in battle or daily life. Attached to a long cylindrical wooden handle, the dao is stable and very ergonomic to hold. At the junction of blade and handle an iron ferrule reinforces the connection, making it even more durable and strong. The tang of the blade has been very skillfully inserted in the handle by the Khasi blacksmith and has incorporated their functional design practices.
The Ka-wait-rit was not just another tool. It was a tradition now more than 100 years old in protection, hunting, and rituals. In most cases, it is handed down from one generation to the next. Nowadays, its testimony stands in museums as evidence of what once was in the cultural memories of the Khasi tribe.