Bird dha

CharlesS · 3rd April 2007, 11:29 PM

Though I acknowledge they are a legitimate dha form, and apparently have been around for some time (witness Stone's notation on them), asthetically, I am just not a fan of this type. Though it surely may not be, if gives off the impression of a "tourist piece" more then any other legit weapon I know of.

Hope I didn't offend anyone...just my opinion.

~Alaung_Hpaya~ · 4th April 2007, 12:32 PM

I have acquired one of these recently ( the one on the other site that Mark is referring to ) because it is an oddity . I concur that this is a dha and of Burmese provenance but probably not ethnic Bama ( not central belt anyway ) .

I will post some pictures once I have taken them . The length is about 27" with the blade being of fairly heavy contruction with an almost full length fuller and a shorter one nearer the spine . The hilt is black horn and the fittings around the hardwood ( possibly teak ) scabbard are brass. A faded thick orange/red cord cord wraps the proximal scabbard in an identical style to that done on other Burmese pieces. Although I have not personally seen this kind of dha before I have seen similar carved horn in the shape of a bird's head but inverted to form the body of a hand catapult ( the bane of authority and the choice of children : the other popular weapon in Burma

)

Currently I'm in the process of trying to get information from other Burmese sources about the age and manufacture of these . G C Stones pictures are 1930s so we can be sure that they are at least that old.

So far I have gathered that they may be ceremonial and used by an indigenous minority as a status symbol by a tribe who worship or hold particular significance to a pair of mythical birds . The only minority I'm aware of who believe that they descended from mythical Kinnari are the Padaung ( giraffe necked women ). Mainly the response is ," I've never seen one of these before" .

Here are a few pictures from Mark's site ( I'm sure he won't mind ) of dha of similar shape :

Tim Simmons · 4th April 2007, 01:22 PM

Just thought I would add this dha knife well more of a dagger really. The blade is only 23cm long. I have seen the same decortation on swords. looking at the blade I think there is some age here.

Tim Simmons · 4th April 2007, 08:36 PM

Compere this to the first knife shown from Mark's site with the carved ivory handle. The blade is a twin but the rest is quite different. Interesting?

~Alaung_Hpaya~ · 5th April 2007, 01:13 AM

where is your blade from?

Mark · 5th April 2007, 03:34 PM

It looks like a Thai meed hnep, though the piercing on the bands of the scabbard is reminiscent of those on some Bama dha.

RhysMichael · 6th April 2007, 02:07 AM

maybe once more I am seeing things that are not there but does anyone else see a resemblance between the hilt of the bird dha and this indonesian sword hilt. I am not saying they are the same only that they have similarities

4th April 2007, 12:32 PM	#2
~Alaung_Hpaya~ Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 65	I have acquired one of these recently ( the one on the other site that Mark is referring to ) because it is an oddity . I concur that this is a dha and of Burmese provenance but probably not ethnic Bama ( not central belt anyway ) . I will post some pictures once I have taken them . The length is about 27" with the blade being of fairly heavy contruction with an almost full length fuller and a shorter one nearer the spine . The hilt is black horn and the fittings around the hardwood ( possibly teak ) scabbard are brass. A faded thick orange/red cord cord wraps the proximal scabbard in an identical style to that done on other Burmese pieces. Although I have not personally seen this kind of dha before I have seen similar carved horn in the shape of a bird's head but inverted to form the body of a hand catapult ( the bane of authority and the choice of children : the other popular weapon in Burma ) Currently I'm in the process of trying to get information from other Burmese sources about the age and manufacture of these . G C Stones pictures are 1930s so we can be sure that they are at least that old. So far I have gathered that they may be ceremonial and used by an indigenous minority as a status symbol by a tribe who worship or hold particular significance to a pair of mythical birds . The only minority I'm aware of who believe that they descended from mythical Kinnari are the Padaung ( giraffe necked women ). Mainly the response is ," I've never seen one of these before" . Here are a few pictures from Mark's site ( I'm sure he won't mind ) of dha of similar shape : Attached Images

3rd April 2007, 11:29 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Though I acknowledge they are a legitimate dha form, and apparently have been around for some time (witness Stone's notation on them), asthetically, I am just not a fan of this type. Though it surely may not be, if gives off the impression of a "tourist piece" more then any other legit weapon I know of. Hope I didn't offend anyone...just my opinion.

4th April 2007, 01:22 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Just thought I would add this dha knife well more of a dagger really. The blade is only 23cm long. I have seen the same decortation on swords. looking at the blade I think there is some age here.

4th April 2007, 08:36 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Compere this to the first knife shown from Mark's site with the carved ivory handle. The blade is a twin but the rest is quite different. Interesting?

5th April 2007, 01:13 AM	#5
~Alaung_Hpaya~ Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 65	where is your blade from?

5th April 2007, 03:34 PM	#6
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	It looks like a Thai meed hnep, though the piercing on the bands of the scabbard is reminiscent of those on some Bama dha.

6th April 2007, 02:07 AM	#7
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	maybe once more I am seeing things that are not there but does anyone else see a resemblance between the hilt of the bird dha and this indonesian sword hilt. I am not saying they are the same only that they have similarities