Husa Knife Forging Techniques of Achang Ethnic Minority in Longchuan County
Husa Knife Forging Techniques
A Husa knife(户撒), also sometimes called Achang knife, which is traditional forged weapon of the Achang people of China. It originated in Husa Achang Township(户撒阿昌乡), Longchuan County（陇川县), Dehong Dai Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture(德宏傣族景颇族自治州) in Yunnan Province. The Husa knife Forging Techniques of Achang Ethnic Minority has been included as a national intangible cultural heritage and is favored by domestic and foreign merchants.
Forging Process
Husa knives are made with a special process which gives the metal a pure texture, and a really sharp and durable blade.The main production tools of household spreader are hearth plate, hammer, clamp, shovel, anvil, bellows, front steel scraper, wooden cooling trough, etc. The production process of Husa knife has 10 steps:
- processing of raw materials
- billet making
- proofing
- grinding
- decorating with leaf
- quenching
- polishing
- handle-making
- belt-making
- assembling
Specialized Division of Labour
In Husha Township, different stockades are responsible for the production of different products. For example, Mandongzhai Township(曼东寨) mainly produces small sharp knives, Mandanthai(芒旦寨) Township and Laifuzhai Township(来福寨) mainly produce long knives, and Manlai Township(曼来寨) mainly produces sick knives and horseshoes. ManPai Township(曼派寨) and HuShi Township(户昔寨) are specializing in making scabbards. In addition, the famous craftsmen of the households numbered their own tool products, or put a word in their name on the blade, as a special mark.
Cultural Characteristics
Husa knife not only has distinct local ethnic characteristics, but also reflects the perfect combination of Frontier National Culture and Central Plains Han culture. For example, the sheath and handle of the silver sheath long knife have a strong national style, while the patterns of Erlong Dragon Drama Pearl.
Chinese Version: http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-11110-1249.html
Translated by Winnie/张赢
