Aruval

Aruval
A typical aruval from Tamil Nadu.
TypeBillhook machete
Place of originTamil Nadu, India
Specifications
Length3 to 6 feet (0.91 to 1.83 m)

The aruval (Tamil: அருவாள், Malayalam: അരിവാൾ, ISO: arivāḷ) is a type of billhook machete from southern India, particularly common in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.[1][2][3] It is also known as the koḍuvāḷ (Telugu: కొడవలి, romanized: kodvali/ kodivelu, Malayalam: കൊടുവാൾ) or the machchu longu (Kannada: ಮಚ್ಚು). It is a type of long sickle with a knife-like scythe-handle, and is used both as a tool and a weapon. Tamils revere the weapon as a symbol of Karupannar. In popular culture, it is sometimes associated with gangsters, especially in the Rayalaseema region. In Kerala, its primary use is for agriculture, mainly in coconut cutting, clearing pathways, cutting wood and other uses.

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