Nepalese Sacrificial Sword Ram Dao

The “Ram Dao” is a sacrificial weapon originating from the Bangali and Nepalese regions. It was used during the annual Hindu sacrificial festivals “Dessehra” and represents the spiritual presence of the cult of Kali. One of the facets of sacrifices to Kali is the shedding of blood. The 'Ram Dao' was intended to behead a buffalo as this would resemble the murder of the buffalo demon Mahishasura, committed by Kali's ancestor Durga. The handle: Made of steel and attached to the blade, consisting of a segmented shank that ends in a wooden handle that is riveted to the hilt by a brass pommel-cap. The end of the stem ends with a makara head and is entirely engraved and decorated with a bright red pigment. The wooden handle has a brass ferrule on both sides. The blade: Being heavy and representing a creature with a pronounced snout, decorated with a brass tip. The projection halfway up the blade represents Mahishasura's hat, an auspicious symbol that represents the decapitation of the buffalo demon. The blade features a carved decoration of a brass eye inlaid on both sides which represents the testimony of Mahishasura's murder.

Condition: Excellent, good original patina. The pommel-cap has old damage. Delivered on a modern display stand.

Dimensions: Handle: 41.6 cm Blade length: 70.5 Thickness of the back of the blade: 5.5 mm Total length: 90 cm Weight: 3.951gr.

Sources: “Arms and armor of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka” by Ravinder Reddy