Language: Nepali
Source: A 1931 dictionary

Description

Khisā (खिसा) is the Nepali word for a small purse that was traditionally carried in the scabbard of a khukurī.¹

The purse was usually used to hold tinder consisting of the bark of the sago palm, bamboo, or plantain. The tinder was called jhulo (झुलो), literally meaning "fiber".

Other items typically stored in the khukurī scabbard alongside the main knife are:

Karda (कर्द); a small utility knife.
Cakmak (चक्मक्); a fire striker / sharpening steel.

A fine mutiny era khukurī with the khisā shown removed from its scabbard, shown on top.
Sold by Mandarin Mansion in 2020.

Further study

For a complete overview of khukurī terminology, see my article: A Nepalese khukurī glossary.

Notes
1. Sir Ralph Lilley Turner; A comparative and etymological dictionary of the Nepali language. London: K. Paul, Trench, Trubner, 1931.