DHAS / DAABS FOR DISCUSSION

[Ian]

Roy:

Thank you so much for posting these additional pictures. Since we last spoke, I have tracked down a probable origin for these two dha. Although they are almost certainly of "Burmese" manufacture (Shan or possibly Husa work), their use is likely attributable to the Chin-Lushai of the NE India/Assam region.

In a recent post on knives from this area, I came across a reference to the types of scabbards that are shown on your two examples. The other thread is found here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19383

Posted below is a figure from Ian Heath's, Armies of the Nineteenth Century: Asia 3. India's North-East Frontier, 1999, p. 74. Here is the faint text which accompanied the diagrams.

Though they were drawn from Shendu examples, these weapons are all equally characteristic of most other Chin-Lushai peoples. They comprise (1) a spear with a typical lozenge shaped blade and a butt-spike; (2) a quiver, complete with lid secured by a piece of string; (3) a typical Chin-Lushai bracer; (4) a dao (takong); (5) a basketwork dao scabbard with shoulder strap; (6) a sword (zozi); (7) a typical decorated mithun-horn powder-flask; and (8) a small brass-handled knife and scabbard. These all come from N.E. Parry's The Lakhars (1932). They were obviously not drawn to scale, but there is a rule adjacent to each individual drawing which the artist has graduated in inches.

On the following page, Heath has this to say about some of the edged weapons.

"The Shendu dao (called a takong) was 18–22 inches (46–56 cm) from the tip of the blade to the end of the bamboo handle. It was most often thrust through the loincloth waistband behind the back or was carried in the usual haversack that was slung over one or other shoulder, but cane scabbards with a bone chape were sometimes seen, suspended at the left side with a leather baldric or a cane hoop worn over the right shoulder. Chiefs and leading warriors might substitute a variety of long handled dao called a zozi. This was actually a curved sword of Burmese provenance, which had a blade up to about 19 inches (48 cm) long and a brass ornamented handle of about another 10–11 inches (25–28 cm). It had a brass scabbard described by Parry as 'lacquered in red or black, or in alternate sections of red or black'.

Thank you again for sharing these very unusual examples of Burmese dha.

[Royston]

Thanks Ian

Very interesting.
A bit of coincidence perhaps, but looking at the other thread and the included knife now leads me to add some more photos.

This one was a puzzle yesterday, but perhaps not today

Regards
Roy

[Royston]

missed a photo

[Ian]

Roy:

Nice knife and unusual as you suggest. It appears to be "Burmese" in style and might well be from the same area as the swords below.

Ian.

[spiral]

Nice pieces Roy, & fascinating to see Ians old book ref. describing them!

Well done Ian! The old drawing ,pics & catalogues so often have the answers!

As for your knife Roy, it certainly looks like the line drawing to me!

[Royston]

Thanks for all your help Ian, it looks pretty conclusive.
Spiral, I quite agree with your comments about the old books.

Regards
Roy

[Ian]

Another example of this "transplanted" dha that I picked up recently. The red lacquer is not as prominent as in the other examples.

Ian.