Betel Cutter
82-7-48
From: Thailand | Udon Thani | Ban Tong
Curatorial Section: Asian
| Native Name | Mit Sa Nak | มีดสะนาก | Kankrai Tat Mak | กรรไกรตัดหมาก | Kankrai Nip Mak | กรรไกรหนีบหมาก |
| Object Number | 82-7-48 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Thai | Isaan |
| Provenience | Thailand | Udon Thani | Ban Tong |
| Site Name | Ban Tong | บ้านต้อง |
| Date Made | 1940-1950 |
| Section | Asian |
| Materials | Iron |
| Subject | Betel Chewing Tools and Equipment |
| Description | A small iron betel nut cutter. The sharp edge comes to rest on the backing when slicing. It is used to slice hard betel nut (mak หมาก) which comes from the Sengalia catechu tree (Si Siat สีเสียด). It also is used to cut part of the Golden Shower tree (Cassia fistula) whose bark is used to make betel paste. (Kaen Khun แก่นคูน). It is not used much in modern times (circa 1981) since small knives are prefered for cutting betal. It was bought from an elderly woman who had aquired it 30-40 years ago (circa 1940-1950) for 12 baht. |
| Length | 17 cm |
| Credit Line | Thai-Lao Ethnographic Expedition, Joyce C. White, 1981 |
| Other Number | 085 - Field Number |
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