A valari (Tamil: வளரி) or valai thadi is a wooden throwing stick tipped with iron and this specific variant is used primarily by the Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent.[1] Valari is used for protecting cattle from predators, war and hunting. It was the favorite weapon of choice in a deer hunt. Tamil Nadu is strongly associated with this weapon. It is the predecessor of the wooden boomerang, which was used widely in India since the Upper Paleolithic, most notably in the Ganga Plains for hunting birds and small, mobile prey.
Construction
Like the hunting boomerang of the aboriginal Australians, the Tamilian valari were two types: returning and non-returning to the thrower. Valari is made in many shapes and sizes. History of Valari is rooted to ancient times and evidences can be found in Tamil Sangam literature "Purananuru". The usual form consists of two limbs set at an angle; one is thin and tapering while the other is rounded and is used as a handle. Valari is usually made of iron which is melted and poured into molds, although some may have wooden limbs tipped with iron. Alternatively, the limbs may have lethally sharpened edges; special daggers are known as kattari, double-edged and razor sharp, may be attached to some valari.
Use
The thrower holds the valari by one of its limbs and throws it. There are several ways of throwing and aiming. It is usually given a spin while throwing. While flying through the air, it can maneuver and execute several types of movements according to the throwers purpose. It may spin in the vertical axis, horizontal axis, or just fly without spinning. The spin may also vary in speed. A lethal throw is given a spin and aimed at the neck. A non-lethal throw is given a spin and aimed at the ankles or knees. This is to capture a fleeing victim. A simple hurting blow does not have any spin. It is sharp enough to cut through a person's neck during war .
0 comments: