This giant traditional knife is known Kati, which is a functional tool of the Gadaba tribe, local community residents living in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. This knife emphasizes the traditional weaponry utilized by the tribal groups, along with their talents in iron, local craftsmanship, and resourceful practices for daily tools.
The Kati comprises two modalities: a curved iron blade and a moderately sized cylindrical wooden handle. The iron blade is broad and slightly bends at the center before tapering into a point; it serves the purposes of slicing as well as precision cutting. Its sharp cutting edge enhances its versatility, making it usable for several purposes inclusive of agricultural, domestic, and forest-related tasks. The wood handle has a smooth, circular butt end for easy grip, and it does not have one part cut into it to install the broad blade.
The materials of iron and wood demonstrate sustainable utilization of nature by the tribe, and the structure proves their knowledge in ergonomics and practical design. Today, this knife is kept at the Indian Museum, Kolkata, representing not only tribal utility tools but also the skill and tradition of the Gadaba tribe.