More dha translations

[RhysMichael]

It seems that alot of Burmese antiques find their way out of the country via Thailand to the outside market . I have only seen ornamental daggers for sale in Burma but these are mainly Shan or kachin .

Most families will still keep a fighting dha but these on the whole are merely functional and plain . The only story dha I have seen are in the National Museum . My grandfather used to possess a fighting dha , a spear and a japanese sword although details are fuzzy regarding exactly what they looked like.

I have enjoyed reading these translations. We have been anxious to find someone who was willing to do this for us for a while so let me add my thanks to the others here.

I sent you some links on reputable dealers I have dealt with for dha. In addition I have found that following the UK ebay will often let you find ones not always available elsewhere. It only makes sense in that a number of dha were brought back home during the British colonial period

[Mark]

Outstanding! Thank you so much, Alaung Hpaya. I have sent you a PM about dealers, though I expect John has already identified the ones I know about.

I have found non-dha weaponry to be very scarce. I have found one Thai long shield (dheng), and one Burmese spear. The spear, however, is not old and I have no idea whether it even is an accurate representation of an historical pattern. I think a major problem in locating armor is that padded cloth and leather, or no armor at all, where used. General Bandoola (the namesake of Maha Bandoola) wore a set of Indian composite chain and plate mail, but that was considered to be unusual. Why so few spears are around I cannot say, unless it is because they are less durable and for the most part lack historical or cultural significance, and are even more obsolete than the dha.

Bob Hudson, an Australian archeologist who excavates in Burma has told me that the Burmese are great recyclers, as well, which could also explain the scarcity of old metal objects that have out-lived their usefulness.

[~Alaung_Hpaya~]

Originally Posted by Mark

Bob Hudson, an Australian archeologist who excavates in Burma has told me that the Burmese are great recyclers, as well, which could also explain the scarcity of old metal objects that have out-lived their usefulness.

I have read some of his paper on Bagan and Pyu excavations . The Burmese are great recyclers : that is why I suggested that the dha with 2 dates may well be a composite of many parts and the embellishment may well be a genuine part from an older piece .


Similarly the Buddhist acceptance of the impermanence of material objects has resulted in a lack of sentimentality for things antique until recently when it seems there's an industry to "antique" any arts or craft to please the growing tourist and internal markets . The only thing preventing a widespread resurgence in dha making is the junta's suppression of the manufacture of anything that might be used against them .


However the Burmese are resourceful . The weapon du jour in 1988 against the government troops by the people was not the dha but the jin-gli ( sharpened bicycle spokes poisoned with faeces launched from hand catapults )