A stylized
knife used by the
Incas. A tumi consists of either a
crescent shaped or
semi-circular blade and a handle attached to the middle of the blade (think of a
spade). The blade varies from around an inch to 6 inches in
diameter. The handle is often an ornate
cast or
carving of a figure, a
priest or
god, dressed in an elaborate ceremonial robes and headgear.
The tumi was used for ritual sacrifice (human? probably not, but it's up for debate), but more regularly for "surgical" use. Using a tumi, Incan doctors would carve a hole in the patient's head to let the bad blood out.