Iron Pestle

This is a tool attached to the end of a pestle, and was used for pounding grains. A jagged metal tip or a flat stone tip was firmly inserted into the pestle so as not to fall out. A pestle mounted on the head of the mill moved up and down and crushed the contents within the mortar. In the case of didilbanga, when the forked end was stepped on and then released, the pestle was lifted then dropped, hitting and crushing grains. Since a pestle was easily worn out, it was protected with a tip made from a harder material. Different pestles could be used depending on the usage. For instance, a pestle with a flat stone tip was used to grind grains, while a pestle with a jagged metal tip was used to remove husks from grains.