Peeche katti

Weapons were integral part of the tribe living in dense forest of Kodagu. Every tribe around the world did have weapons designed by themselves to making living easy and fighting the odds. Kukri of Gurkas, Talwar of the Sikhs, Axe of the Kalinga tribe are just few examples of how people depended on weapons for their survival. Similarly Peeche Katti and Vodi Katti were couple of weapons which Kodava tribe have been using from centuries. Peech Katti which basically translates as tender knife or small knife was used by kodava in their day to day activities. Let me try to shed some information on this 

Peechekatti was usually handed over to a Kodava teenager from the eldest in the tribe post his first hunt or war. The weapon was made of iron which resembled more like a dagger and had a scabbard made of bamboo Stem and tucked in a cloth like belt (Chale) the scabbard was later replaced with rosewood. Peechekatti was always considered by as a sacred weapon by Kodava tribe since it was a matter of pride to earn it and was used for all sacred work including wedding and cremation of the Kodava warriors. Kodava warriors used peechekatti as a last savior to kill enemies in war. Peechekatti gained its new look after Linga raja started gifting golden and silver peechkatti to Kodava warriors who displayed tremendous courage in war against the enemies of his kingdom. It is said most Kodava warriors did possess peechkatti made of Gold during the king’s rule and this is how a native dagger like weapon covered with bamboo scabbard was replaced with gold and silver. Few clans in Kodava tribe used to bury or burn the peechkatti along with the body of the warrior who attained martyrdom, however few others used to passed on the peechekatti of the martyr to his next generation. Few such peechekatti owned by prominent Kodava warriors like Doddaiah are still preserved in British museum (UK) and in Madras museum (India).  Peechekatti has always been an important part of every Kodava warriors life and every such peechekatti preserved by few families in their Kaimada or balyamane tells the story of the legacy of Kodava warriors of that particular clan.