DHA ?

[Mark]

Some more reference material on Kachin dha/dao, from a lay observer in the early 20th C. I have some doubts on the accuracy of some of his information (in particular about the non-existance of Kachin bladesmiths), and his general tone is one of imperious condescension, but he seems to accurately report what he has seen first-hand.

"Although every hiill-man carries a sword (the Burman dah, and stands in need of a hoe and dibble, if not a plough-share, for his rice cultivation, a Kachin blacksmith is a novelty. All his hardware comes from the Chinese or Shans, except that some of the Hkahkus make, what may be called, the genuine Kachin blade. These are about eighteen inches long, broadening from the handle outward. They are never pointed as is the Shan dah. There are at least four varieties, of which one with clear, wavy streaks of steel running down the blade, is the most valuable and appreciated. This sword was carried especially by chiefs and persons of importance. They are now hardly ever seen south of Myitkyina and Mogaung, while only a few years ago they were not uncommon south of Bhamo. The Shan product is cheaper, if not so durable, and the Hkahkus do not come south, as they formerly did, to dispose of their wares." Hanson, The Kachins, Their Customs and Traditions (1913), p. 76 [underlining added]

The first photo below is from Hanson, and shows a number of Kachin with the short, broad dha, though a few might be carrying the Shan style. The second photo is of a Kachin dha from my collection, with the "wavy streaks" running down the blade, brought out more clearly by a light etch with ferric chloride.