Bhojpure Khukuri industry is confronted with obstacles
Nepal’s eastern hilly region of Bhojpur is well-known for its khukuri. Bhojpure khukuri is well-known both domestically and overseas. However, the lack of artisans and raw materials has caused the khukuri industry to face existential challenges in recent years. The youth exodus is likely to worsen the lack of qualified individuals to prepare khukuri. According to Ghanashyam Bishwokarma, young people who once learned skills from the older generation are now choosing to work and study abroad. Kot, Dalgaon, Gogane, Khawa, Khairang, Taksar, Bokhim, Danwa, Timma, Dingla, Deurali, and Jarayotar are the districts that produce the weapon.
The entrepreneurs bemoaned the lack of raw materials and the sharp decline in the skilled workforce, which led to Bhujpure Khukuri’s existential crisis. In addition to being a weapon, the Bhojpure khukuri is also used as a decoration and a gift. The district produces a variety of khukuris, including budune, dharkhole, kothimuda, panwala, banspate, chitlange, and sirupate. The price of a khukuri in a local market ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 1,800. Budune and banspate varieties of khukuri are commonly used in rural areas. This weapon is sold to Dharan, Udayapur, Sankhuwasabha, and Kathmandu city in addition to being used locally. The business owners have been pleading with the government to help maintain the khukuri sector.
