The Gadaba tribe is an indigenous community dwelling in the hilly area of southern Odisha and southern Andhra Pradesh. The Gadabas are known for the agricultural practices, crafts, and living off the forest they have carefully devised functional tools that, in essence, define their knowledge of nature and craftsmanship. The Mundi-Tangi is one such tool that offers a good combination of utility, strength, and indigenous knowledge.
The Mundi-Tangi has two main components: a long wooden handle and a peculiar triangular iron blade. The blade possesses a beautifully crafted sharp straight cutting edge for hard work such as woodcutting, clearing of any obstruction, and perhaps even defense. The design is therefore worthy: while the cutting edge is the efficient and robust part of the blade, the rear portion of the blade gradually terminates into a ferrule-the ferrule that acts like a socket to accommodate the handle firmly.
The other end of the ferrule is squarish and often embellished with designs for ornamental purposes, adding to the grip and beauty. Iron straps are then tightly wound around the top of the wooden shaft for additional security of the blade to the handle, reinforcing this joint and granting durability while in use.
The Mundi-Tangi is not simply a tool, but a symbol of the heritage and inventiveness of the Gadaba tribe, the knowledge of which has been passed from generation to generation in use as an agricultural and protective implement.