Large Naga dao
 

Poor pictures since I did not have much time but thought this may interest some of you. I'm just returning from a trip in central Nagaland and spent the last week with the Sumi Naga there. Most dao used there today are mass produced from somewhere in India and imported to the markets or symbolic facsimile with bright unsharpened blade and plastic red and black "hair" ornamentation. This one, however, belongs to the father of the owner of the homestay I was based out of. Design wise the wood core inserted within the one piece wrapped steel handle and blade is reminiscent of construction of Kalyo Kengyu (Assam) dao (which are essentially axe in form) including with chiseled patterns on handle and forte. I would estimate overall length to me about 100 cm. Unfortunately I failed to take the full blade picture on the other side but you can see the pronounced trapezoid shape of the other side starting in the top picture.The reverse was mostly flat with slight beveling towards edges.

Thanks Jeff. Interesting dao and decoration. Do you think it is Sami?

Hi Ian - Confirmed Sami for two generations but I suppose it could have originated with another group. I will have opportunity for further discussions with the owner and will update the thread ifnI get any more details.

Look like one of the two types of socketed axe from the Kalyo Kengyu tribe, you completely right. But indeed, this looks more massive than the regular exemples