Kachin / Shan Dha

Mark · 12th December 2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manolo

Thanks for the confirmation Mark. I've seen two more of these on ebay recently and Michel has posted a similar one. Can you think of any reason why these are popping up? Are they just common?

No, I can't think of a reason. Things go in cycles, and perhaps someone is selling their collection or just came back from a collecting trip.

aiontay · 13th December 2008, 01:23 AM

Mark,
I would agree the handle doesn't look like a Kachin style handle and would be more in line with a Shan or Northern Thai style. If I was a betting man I'd say it isn't a Kachin sword. I'm just saying I don't think the blade style differences, ie straight vs curved for example, really provides much definitive information based on my admittedly limited observations of Kachin swords owned by Kachins. Well, maybe they're not that limited since my thesis is about the Kachins (based on field research in Thailand and Burma). I should also note that while Leach wrote a great book, I know the Kachins who have read it take issue with a few things, and I'd say his interpretation of Kachin/Shan interactions needs to be treated with some caution.

13th December 2008, 01:23 AM	#2
aiontay Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 88	Mark, I would agree the handle doesn't look like a Kachin style handle and would be more in line with a Shan or Northern Thai style. If I was a betting man I'd say it isn't a Kachin sword. I'm just saying I don't think the blade style differences, ie straight vs curved for example, really provides much definitive information based on my admittedly limited observations of Kachin swords owned by Kachins. Well, maybe they're not that limited since my thesis is about the Kachins (based on field research in Thailand and Burma). I should also note that while Leach wrote a great book, I know the Kachins who have read it take issue with a few things, and I'd say his interpretation of Kachin/Shan interactions needs to be treated with some caution.