The Khukuri: A Weapon, Tool, and Symbol|尼泊尔的廓尔喀弯刀

The Khukuri: A Weapon, Tool, and Symbol

with a Long History

by Brian Foden

Used by fearless Nepalese soldiers, the khukuri has become a legendary weapon, but it's also a common household tool in Nepal.

　　With a wide, heavy blade curved inwards, the khukuri is truly an interesting and distinctive weapon. _(1)_ It was largely unknown in the Western world until a British company called the East India Company faced resistance from fierce and fearless fighters who fought for the Gorkha Kingdom, which later became part of Nepal. _(2)_

　　Used by the Gurkhas, the khukuri was and remains a powerful knife that is well designed for stabbing, cutting, and chopping to severely injure and kill enemies. _(3)_

　　Yet killing is just one of the many uses the knife has been used for. A much more common usage of the sharp instrument is as a basic tool for gardening and for performing a wide variety of duties around the home. _(4)_ In addition, ethnic tribes in Nepal think highly of khukuris and add them into many ceremonies. _(5)_ With all of its practical and symbolic uses, the khukuri has certainly earned its rightful place as a legendary and symbolic multipurpose tool and weapon.

(A) One ceremonial use of the knife is in weddings, where the groom is required to wear one so people can see it.

(B) Its use, combined with the courage of the Nepalese soldiers, prompted Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw of the Indian Army to say, "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha."

(C) Made of forged steel attached to a large handle made out of wood, water buffalo horn, bone, ivory, or metal, this fearsome weapon, ceremonial knife, and versatile tool all in one has been used for centuries.

(D) The purposes that the Nepalese use it for include chopping wood, clearing land, digging, and cutting meat, among other things.

(E) The Gurkhas, as the British referred to these soldiers, were later invited to become fighters for the East India Company.

 

尼泊尔的廓尔喀弯刀

廓尔喀弯刀为天不怕地不怕的尼泊尔军人所用，它已成为一种传奇性的武器，但它在尼泊尔也是一种很常见的居家工具。

　　有着宽柄、沉重而向内弯的刀身，廓尔喀弯刀确实是一种令人感兴趣又与众不同的武器。它是以锻钢制成，连接着以木头、水牛角、骨头、象牙或是金属制成的大型握柄，这种集可怕的武器、庆典用刀于一身的多功能工具已使用了好几个世纪。廓尔喀弯刀对西方世界来说相当陌生，直到一家名为东印度的英国公司面临一群凶猛无惧的斗士顽强抵抗后，这才开始变得为人所知，而这些斗士所捍卫的就是之后被纳入尼泊尔版图的廓尔喀王国。英国人所提到的这些廓尔喀军人，后来还被聘用成为东印度公司的战士。

　　廓尔喀弯刀曾经为廓尔喀人所使用，到目前也仍然是威力十分强大的刀具，精心设计的廓尔喀弯刀可用来刺、切割、砍杀并对敌人造成严重伤害且置人于死。这样的用法加上尼泊尔战士的勇气，促使当时印度军队的元帅山姆．马内克萧说出以下这段话：『如果一个人不怕死，他不是说谎就是廓尔喀战士。』

　　然而，杀人只是这种刀一直以来众多用途的其中一项。而这种锐器更普遍的使用方式可以做为基本的园艺工具，而且能执行家里各式各样的工作。尼泊尔人用它来砍柴、清理土地、挖掘甚至切肉，还有其他的事务上。除此之外，尼泊尔的各部落都非常推崇廓尔喀弯刀，并将它们加到许多的仪式中。他们将这种刀运用在某种仪式上，那就是婚礼，新郎需要佩带一把廓尔喀弯刀，让大家都看得见。由于其实际上和象征性的用途，廓尔喀弯刀作为这种传奇性及象征性的多功能工具及武器，已赢得了其应有的地位。

答案： 1. C 2. E 3. B 4. D 5. A