Burmese Dha

[Unclebob]

I've added another Burmese Dha to my collection. This one has a very nicely profiled blade, with a deep belly. Appears to have a Rayskin grip, with copper/bronze ends.
It is 28" overall, with a 21" blade and weighs in at 18oz.

[Sajen]

Hello UB,

yes a typical Burmese dha, end 19th/first quarter 20th century. Handle cover is indeed from ray skin. I have a very similar example in my collection, also with missing scabbard. When I find the time I will take some pictures and will post them for comparison.

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

Hi Bob:

Yes, a Burmese dha probably from the late 19th C. The two plain, metal ferrules flanking a rayskin grip are typical mountings on many Burmese swords of the late 19th–early 20th C. The blade has a nice shape with a prominent, tapered point. Given the wide fuller on the blade, this is most likely of Bama manufacture (rather than Shan, etc.).

Nice example.

Ian.

[Unclebob]

Thanks for the replies, chaps. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are Bama, Shan?

[Nathaniel]

Lovely dha shay bama. Always interesting how you see fullers more with Burmese vs neighboring. Also the sting ray grip seems exclusive to Burmese swords.

[DaveA]

My Burmese dha for comparison

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Unclebob

Thanks for the replies, chaps. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are Bama, Shan?

The Bama and Shan are two major ethnic groups in Burma. The Bama or Burman give their name to the former country of Burma (now Myanmar) and are the largest ethnic group in Burma. They are found mostly in the central and southern areas of the country. The Shan mostly occupy the Shan States in eastern and southern Burma (Myanmar). The Bama are ethnically Tibeto-Burman while the Shan are originally from northern areas in China and were driven south in the 13th C. The Shan are also found in northern Thailand, southern Yunnan and northern Laos.

The Bama and Shan were the main sword manufacturers in Burma.

Ian

[Ian]

Hi dave:

Nice example that you show. Similar features and time period as Bob's dha.

Ian.

[DaveA]

I love this dha. The balance is superb. With eyes closed, it is very easy to visualize where the tip is located. It feels like an extension of my arm. The only better sword I've owned in this respect was a contemporary katana. That one is gone from my collection now. When I am trying to explain this idea of balance to someone, I often give them my long flyssa sword to hold. It is heavy and a total bear to wield -- only stable point is straight up or straight down!

- Dave A

[Ian]

Here is one of mine that was displayed in the History of Steel exhibit in Macao in 2006-2007. Similar in style to those of Bob and Dave. The scabbard is a recent replacement.

Ian.

.

[Sajen]

And here is my honest example.

[Unclebob]

Many thanks Ian for explaining Bama and Shan for me. Some nice Dha you guys have; I haven't seen many for sale at Militaria Fairs, here in the UK, probably the wrong place to look!