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Throughout the middle
hills area of Nepal, we find this ubiquitous tool - the
butter churn handle, known in Nepali as a "neti".
Neti act as sort of axis for the churning rod. One end of
the neti is tied to rope or cord, and the rope is in turn
tied to a post, or some other fixed object. The churn's
stick passes through the hole in the neti, with the
churning end inserted into the butter jar. There is
another churning rope tied around the churn stick in such
a way that the two ends of the rope are held (one each) in
the butter maker's two hands. Alternately pulling one end
of the rope and then the other towards oneself causes the
churning stick to twist back and forth, churning the
liquid into butter.
The neti is an essential item, and was traditionally found
in every household. What could be a simple wooden ring, as
mechanically speaking that would be all that is required
for such an implement, has evolved into a great domestic
art form. The neti has become one of the distinctive
mediums for expression by village artisans. The variety of
neti are truly astounding and the vary from very simple,
to highly elaborate requiring high levels of carving
skill.
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