DHA ?

[RhysMichael]

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

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

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.