Fifty-four-year-old Pudawa, who comes from a line of knife makers, has been making Tibetan knives for 39 years in Lhatse, Tibet Autonomous Region. He learned the skill from his father, foregoing modern forging techniques in favor of traditions. He shapes, grinds and polishes the blade and molds, carves and paints the scabbard all by hand.

Pudawa, a knife maker in Lhatse, Tibet, selects raw materials for a blade. [File photo]

Lhatse is famous for its high-quality steel knives with tough blades and delicate carvings. They are popular among tourists. Pudawa made 30,000 yuan (US$4,638.2) last year selling his crafts. His skill made the list of national intangible cultural heritages in 2008, which earns him 3,000 yuan (US$463.8) a year from the local government.

Now, Pudawa’s son has taken after his father and will inherit the family business. After 10 years of learning the craft, Dorje Dradul can complete a knife all by himself. It can take three days to make a 10-centimeter-long knife.

Related

• Foreign military attachés visit Tibet exhibition
• Balancing Act: Tibetan antelope, railway, co-exist in harmony
• Remarkable rescue saves antelopes from wild animals attack
• Gala in celebration of 60th anniversary of peaceful liberation of Tibet

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)