DKH01-016_kapay - Kapay ‘Small knife’

This string figure represents a small knife. While metal knives were first brought to Kanjimei in the 60s and 70s by patrol officers and by Awiakay men who returned from work on plantations, traditional knives were made from bamboo. The older men report that these bamboo knives were so sharp that men could shave with them. The Awiakay term kapay remained in use for the newly-introduced small metal knives, however, it is likely that this string figure originated before contact. At a certain stage in the making of this knife, the string figure maker asks another person to hold the strings, however, this is not necessary, and skilled makers can do it by themselves. When the ‘knife’ emerges, the figure maker moves the design repeatedly, saying the knife is cutting fish. Image: 02: kapay ‘small knife’, final design . Language as given: Awiakay