One of the largest tribal communities in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, the Khonds tribe has been deeply attached to nature and traditional tools. Among the most important tools is the axe. The Khonds use it in a large part of their everyday life. The axe for the Khond serves several purposes: farming, cutting wood, hunting, and even self-defense. The axe has an oblong iron blade with a sharp edge, and it features a strong wooden handle, so it is not just durable but also easy to handle (Elwin, 1950).
Traditionally, axes have been made by Khond blacksmiths from time immemorial using thrifty iron-smelting. Their skills have been passed from generation to generation. The hardwood handle affords a firm grip and makes it easy for them to work long hours with it. In addition to being a tool with material utility, the axe also possesses deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Khond people

They sometimes sacrifice axes to their ingenious Earth Goddess, Tari Penu, for protection and prosperity among them. It has been a historically symbolic act of either resistance or bravery, as the Khonds fought with this weapon to defend their land against British forces and other invaders (Pattnaik, 2018).

Ancient traditions are exemplified by the function and symbolic use of axes in agriculture and actual rituals among the Khonds. The axe strongly and proudly links them to their traditions, strength, and natural habitat, revealing the richness of an increasingly modernizing tribal identity.