Great stuff Mark thanks 
The few photos I have seen of Nashi ( Naxi)  attributed them to Yunnan. Aren't the Nashi Tibeto-Burman or Tibeto-Chinese also ?
Similar blade forms are also seen among the Akha. They are found in Tibet, China, Laos, Burma and Thailand.
Here is a blade similar to the one at the top carried by an Akha man in Tibet. Notice he also carries a more traditional tibetan sword 
 
 
The shorter wider dao sword attributed to the naga are seen among some of  the Abor ( Adi) People. The abor are a collective tribe living in the Himalayan hills of Arunachal Pradesh (in northeastern India), 
An Abor Padam with "naga dao" 
 
 
An abor Minyong with a "naga dao"
 
 
I believe the Abor(adi) are Tibeto-Burman also ( but I could be wrong on this ) If so it may be more evidence that the "Naga Sword Dao" is really more a Tibeto-Burman weapon than a naga one. 
Photos from the smithsonian collection 
	Quote:
	
	
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					Originally Posted by Royston
					
				 Gentlemen,
 Is there any evidence of trade between Eastern Naga's and Burma ?  Is it possible that elements of weapons were copied from each other ?
 
 
 regards
 Royston
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 Definitly there is a gread deal of trade and migration of peoples in this area. That is part of what makes it so confusing to say which sword comes from each ethnic group.