Two swords I have that I know nothing about. (South-East Asian/West-African)

Jim McDougall · 28th October 2017, 01:41 PM

Hi Wille,,
Welcome to the forum!!!!
The first sword is as noted a dha, and while modern, very much a keenly representative ethnographic piece. It is remarkably similar to one I had which was a 'bringback' from Viet Nam in the early 60s..right down to the blade markings.
I do not have the notes at hand at the moment, but I did contact a noted Army officer who was in Viet Nam in 61-62, and recognized the form.
I then contacted a professor at UCLA who had written on Montagnard tribes in Viet Nam in particular the Hmong.

She approached elders of some of these tribes who recognized my dha which was as noted, strikingly similar to yours. They recognized it and some notes about the markings, which decidedly placed it to regions in Laos.
I do not recall the tribe noted, but will in a few weeks when I can get to notes.

These Montagnard tribes were valuable allies to our forces in Viet Nam, and many came to the US after the war.

The second item is I am afraid as you suspected, a souvenier item probably fro Saharan tribes, and quite modern, though made very much in the spirit of much older traditional weapons of the last century.

Sajen · 28th October 2017, 03:21 PM

Sorry Jim,

I think the dha/daab is Thai in origin, see for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=vietnam

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 28th October 2017, 06:33 PM

Hi Wille:

The SE Asian daab is indeed Thai, as Sajen has indicated. More specifically, northern Thai and there is a thread that dealt with these on the old UBB site of this Forum. It can be found here.

The markings are discussed in detail on that thread.

Ian.

Ren Ren · 28th October 2017, 10:20 PM

The sword from collection of leutnant de Hoym de Marien (deceased January 1888 - Tonkin), explorer of Northern Vietnam and Laos.

Jim McDougall · 29th October 2017, 04:28 AM

Sajen and Ian,
Thank you so much for the correction. Its been quite a few years since the research and even seeing the weapon I had, but I know the markings were the same. While it seemed compelling having the opinions of an academic and with other corroboration, it certainly could have been misperceived or assumed data.
I know you guys know these weapons well, and have pretty vast exposure and experience, so I appreciate the input and will adjust my notes accordingly.
That's what this place is about, learning!!!

28th October 2017, 10:20 PM	#4
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 379	The sword from collection of leutnant de Hoym de Marien (deceased January 1888 - Tonkin), explorer of Northern Vietnam and Laos. Attached Images

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28th October 2017, 01:41 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,837	Hi Wille,, Welcome to the forum!!!! The first sword is as noted a dha, and while modern, very much a keenly representative ethnographic piece. It is remarkably similar to one I had which was a 'bringback' from Viet Nam in the early 60s..right down to the blade markings. I do not have the notes at hand at the moment, but I did contact a noted Army officer who was in Viet Nam in 61-62, and recognized the form. I then contacted a professor at UCLA who had written on Montagnard tribes in Viet Nam in particular the Hmong. She approached elders of some of these tribes who recognized my dha which was as noted, strikingly similar to yours. They recognized it and some notes about the markings, which decidedly placed it to regions in Laos. I do not recall the tribe noted, but will in a few weeks when I can get to notes. These Montagnard tribes were valuable allies to our forces in Viet Nam, and many came to the US after the war. The second item is I am afraid as you suspected, a souvenier item probably fro Saharan tribes, and quite modern, though made very much in the spirit of much older traditional weapons of the last century.

28th October 2017, 03:21 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,700	Sorry Jim, I think the dha/daab is Thai in origin, see for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=vietnam Regards, Detlef

28th October 2017, 06:33 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,686	Hi Wille: The SE Asian daab is indeed Thai, as Sajen has indicated. More specifically, northern Thai and there is a thread that dealt with these on the old UBB site of this Forum. It can be found here. The markings are discussed in detail on that thread. Ian.

29th October 2017, 04:28 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,837	Sajen and Ian, Thank you so much for the correction. Its been quite a few years since the research and even seeing the weapon I had, but I know the markings were the same. While it seemed compelling having the opinions of an academic and with other corroboration, it certainly could have been misperceived or assumed data. I know you guys know these weapons well, and have pretty vast exposure and experience, so I appreciate the input and will adjust my notes accordingly. That's what this place is about, learning!!!