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#1 |
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 178
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hi
blade 46 cm hilt 55 cm |
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#2 |
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This is a form of dha. From one of the various hill tribes loosly referred to as "Montagnard". Probably from Laos, but some are attributed to Vietnam and Thailand.
The very long handle, small disc guard and "hatchet" tip are typical of the form. Nice example. The scabbard looks newer than the blade and handle, and these scabbards are most often seen completely bound with rattan strips. |
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#3 |
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Some other examples:
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#4 |
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many thanks Andrew for this clarification !!!!!
galvano |
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#5 |
Vikingsword Staff
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Another example. Similar style of wrap on the hilt.
Last edited by Ian; 14th February 2006 at 11:36 PM. |
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#6 |
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Out of curiosity, how far up the hilt does the tang go on these dhas?
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#7 |
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Not very far, Fearn. Most dha have short, spiked tangs, and these are consistent. Mark did an informal study about this a while ago and there's an old thread in the archives about it.
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#8 |
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Indeed. You find through tangs very rarely in dha, and I sometimes wonder at their authenticity.
I read in Ferrars & Ferrars' "Burma" that the short tang is used to minimize vibration in the handle when the blade strikes. Andrew has done test cuts on several dha, including a modern custom one which I think has a long tang, so maybe he can comment on whether or not this is true. |
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#9 |
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Ok Ian it is really similar.
From where think that comes it your? galvano |
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#10 |
Vikingsword Staff
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Galvano:
I believe that my sword comes from Northern Thailand/Laos, where many of the "Montagnard" peoples live. Neighboring Vietnam is also a possibility. Ian. |
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#11 |
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An interesting piece of information possibly pertinent to these swords comes from a comment that the head weapons curator at the Thai National Museum made to our intrepid field operative, Dan Wilke. She said these look a lot like old Thai cavalry polearms.
One wonders if it is a case of derivation, or of convergent evolution. I don't imagine that there is much in the way of cavalry used up in the mountains of Annam, and a longhandled blade has its advantages apart from being able to reach people on the ground from the back of a horse. Still, I have this fantasy of a lost Thai cavalry unit settling down in the highlands and passing down their familiar chopper design to their decendents. |
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#12 |
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Hi, Andrew! I hope it's alright to call you Andrew. I don't know how to address you...you are probably way older than I am!
Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you for quite sometime now about your wife. You mention quite a few time that your wife know a great deal about northern Thailand culture. Is it, by any chance, she is from northern Thailand? |
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#13 | |
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#14 | |
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![]() My wife does love Thai food, but she is 100% Irish. ![]() |
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#15 | |
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Where did you hear this? I am genuinely interested in your sources, particularly if they refute my understaning and beliefs about these swords. ![]() Best, Andrew |
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#16 |
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Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand
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I understood that Titus tried to explain a kind of polearm. Very much close to japanese "Naginata". Thai version of Naginatas are called "Ngaw". The blades construct are similar to "Dahb" There are short version of "Ngaw" too.
However, there are blades which are evolved from "Dahb". We called them "Dahb Chaleay". They have extended handle for more powerful chop. IMHO, Andrew picture might fall in this catagory. |
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#17 | |
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#18 | |
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#19 |
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Hi Titus, Nice to meet you here. How fluence your Thai are? There is a section on Thai weapons on www.thaiblades.com You can also share your knowledge overthere
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#20 |
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Actually, my accent is perfect. However, I'm a little rusty because I've spoken English more than Thai, so it may take a while before I can speak with perfect vocubulary.
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#21 |
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Excellent information, gentlemen. Thank you for sharing with us.
![]() I've read of possible ancient (i.e. pre-7th century) Persian influences on the region speculated to be associated with Vishnu worship, as well as periodic trade. I was unaware of any significant Persian immigration into Siam until now. Can either of you direct me to a good English-language source for ancient Thai martial arts and/or military tactics? Unfortunately, the sources I have available were primarily published in the west, and some information strikes me as a bit suspect. |
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