WW2 Hill Tribe Dha

Tim Simmons · 14th June 2010, 07:02 AM

Sadly I have no idea.

I have lots of pictures of Burmese tribes people with Doa swords but nothing with Dha. Unlike Africa it seems there is not a lot of information on regional styles.

If anybody has any good pictures, books and general sound information, I think there would be many members grateful to view it.

Andrew · 14th June 2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Sadly I have no idea.

I have lots of pictures of Burmese tribes people with Doa swords but nothing with Dha. Unlike Africa it seems there is not a lot of information on regional styles.

If anybody has any good pictures, books and general sound information, I think there would be many members grateful to view it.

The source material (in English, anyway) for this information is very scarce. The article Mark, Ian and I wrote for the "History of Steel" exhibition catalogue contains a bibliography that would be my suggested starting point for anyone with a desire to travel down this road. Mark likely has accumulated additional titles I am unaware of--hopefully he will chime in here.

There is a great deal of "sharing" between various Hill Tribes in SEA, so it has been quite frustrating to try to pin down forms and decoration to one particular ethnic group. The extant data regarding textiles and jewelry is vastly greater than that for ethnographic weapons.

We know a great deal more than we did a few years ago, but I suspect it will take some primary research dedicated specifically to this issue to see any significant progress. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to conduct that research and, even if I did, the political and social environments of Thailand and, especially, Myanmar, do not make such a trip particularly inviting at the moment.

I have woefully neglected my personal, amateur research for several years now, so others may have new information to share.

Andrew · 14th June 2010, 06:13 PM

Link to the HOS article:

http://www.arscives.com/historysteel...ea.article.htm

Scroll to bottom for bibliography.

Tim Simmons · 14th June 2010, 06:48 PM

Andrew, thank you for your interest. Here are some pictures of the scabbard sorry they are not daylight pictures. I do not really see what good pictures of the scabbard are. If the use of found objects on Dha is deemed unacceptable, unlike say weapons from Africa or the Philippine Islands. Then is there any point of further discussion of this particular piece?

Andrew · 14th June 2010, 06:56 PM

Only "good" for my personal reasons, Tim--I wanted to compare your scabbard to some of mine.

I would argue strenuously that the use of found objects on these swords is definitely acceptible. Some of my most interesting dha have such additions. Also, it is not at all uncommon to find older blades remounted with newer fittings, or swords assembled from seemingly disparate component parts.

I think your example is both interesting and worthy of discussion. I apologize if my prior comments led you to believe otherwise. Thank you for sharing it.

Tim Simmons · 14th June 2010, 07:19 PM

I agree with you Andrew the line to the eye in the scabbard is not the sweetest but I can say that in the hand is really sweet. The bicycle parts have not just been sawn up and stuck on willy-nilly. A balance between blade and the handle has been found as in all good weapons.

Tim Simmons · 14th June 2010, 07:53 PM

I have the feeling the parts came from a back wheel, direct drive no gears. This picture is from a 1934 model. Not the right pieces, but the bits in question could be from an earlier model or perhaps a latter model.

http://oldbike.wordpress.com/1940s-h...watsonian-side

14th June 2010, 06:48 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Andrew, thank you for your interest. Here are some pictures of the scabbard sorry they are not daylight pictures. I do not really see what good pictures of the scabbard are. If the use of found objects on Dha is deemed unacceptable, unlike say weapons from Africa or the Philippine Islands. Then is there any point of further discussion of this particular piece? Attached Images

14th June 2010, 07:53 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	I have the feeling the parts came from a back wheel, direct drive no gears. This picture is from a 1934 model. Not the right pieces, but the bits in question could be from an earlier model or perhaps a latter model. http://oldbike.wordpress.com/1940s-h...watsonian-side Attached Images

14th June 2010, 07:02 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Sadly I have no idea. I have lots of pictures of Burmese tribes people with Doa swords but nothing with Dha. Unlike Africa it seems there is not a lot of information on regional styles. If anybody has any good pictures, books and general sound information, I think there would be many members grateful to view it.

14th June 2010, 06:13 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Link to the HOS article: http://www.arscives.com/historysteel...ea.article.htm Scroll to bottom for bibliography.

14th June 2010, 06:56 PM	#5
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Only "good" for my personal reasons, Tim--I wanted to compare your scabbard to some of mine. I would argue strenuously that the use of found objects on these swords is definitely acceptible. Some of my most interesting dha have such additions. Also, it is not at all uncommon to find older blades remounted with newer fittings, or swords assembled from seemingly disparate component parts. I think your example is both interesting and worthy of discussion. I apologize if my prior comments led you to believe otherwise. Thank you for sharing it.

14th June 2010, 07:19 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	I agree with you Andrew the line to the eye in the scabbard is not the sweetest but I can say that in the hand is really sweet. The bicycle parts have not just been sawn up and stuck on willy-nilly. A balance between blade and the handle has been found as in all good weapons.