Use of the term krabi versus darb

Titus Pullo · 13th January 2006, 05:54 AM

Being a Thai and knowing the modern Thai language, I know that Krabi refers to as to narrow double edge swords, or daab song kom meaning double edge swords...like the Chinese Jians. The term daab is used very loosely, I guess. But when they talk about big European swords, like the Vikings', they call them daab, also. My guess is it's probably because the big double ege swords can inflict serious wounds on someone like the Thai daabs. Officially, in the Thai language, I think krabi is a double edge sword big or small. I'm not that sure either because I spent all my time here in America, learning English--although, I can read a little Thai. I have to ask my mom...she's very good in writting Thai grammatically correctly.

Andrew · 13th January 2006, 01:16 PM

Thanks for the information, Pullo! Dan has been out of communication for a long time due to work commitments, and you have no idea how excited I am to have a Thai speaker on the forum.

Do you happen to know anyone who can read Burmese?

Titus Pullo · 14th January 2006, 10:00 PM

I'm sorry, but I don't know anybody that can read Burmese! Burmese and Thai languages are totally two different languages, eventhough we are close neighbor. And I'm really excited to be here, too! And...sorry for the late reply!

CharlesS · 17th January 2006, 04:54 PM

This thread very much reminds me of the old Indonesian debate...when is a "parang" a "pedang" or "klewang" or "golok".....

It sounds like the varied Thai terms are moving very much in the same direction, with "daab" or "darb" being the generic (like "parang")...and other words trying to create a specific idea added to the original hoping to create a specific image in the mind's eye.

Just a thought.

PUFF · 28th February 2006, 12:23 PM

Not only you foreign guys, many Thais often mix Dahb with Krabi.

Rather than making my own definition for Dahb and Krabi, I should tell you how most modern-central Thais caragorize weapons. 'coz, there are regional words and there are old words, which are differ from the major population but we will talk about that in another thread.

First of all, all Thais will call stuff like this and also Dha as "Dahb" or sometime "Dahb Thai" which literally means traditional Thai sword (or similar stuff.

)

http://thaiblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1854

And then katana (wakizashi is included) are call "Dahb Yipoon" or "Dahb Samurai" which means Nippon sword. These blades are clearly fall in "Dahb" catagory.

Most single-edged sword such as persian, indian, indonesian are in "Dahb" catagory too. Only their origin were added to its name.

There is an exeptional. There are words for officer or calvary sabre and similar blade with guard, the official Thai word is "Krabi" while general term could be "Dahb Fa-rhang" which means foreign (western) sword. (should I remind you that, in Thai language, there are general, official and royal words for some classy stuff like sabre.

)

However, double-edged chinese Jian mostly in "Krabi" catagory. This because of chinese Dao already occupied "Dahb" catagory.

Although having two sharp edges, european medival longsword always "Dahb" for Thais. To make a specific call, "Dahb Asawin" or medival full-plated knight sword might be used. Never been in "Krabi" catagory.

PUFF · 28th February 2006, 12:33 PM

For most Thai people, Krabi represent Sabre type "Dahb" and Krabon means plain polearm like staff or club. But from my research Krabi-Krabong words has even more complex story.

As you may know, Krabi-Krabong is a kind of demonstration/sparing/contest which was popular during late Authaya-Early Ratanakosin era. But the name haven't been used for such game until early Ratanakosin. Before that tmie, only "Dahb" sparing, staff sparing, "Krabi" sparing... exist.

Later, collections of sparing things were demonstrated in a single day. Now comes the name. According to Ramayana, "Krabi" has another meaning which is monkey soldier. And "Krabong" literally represent the giant tribe. So, "Krabi-Krabong" stand for Agile vs Powerful weapon demonstration/sparing/contest. The weapon in "agile" or "Krabi" class are Dahb, Krabi, small sickle, hand axe, dagger, short triden etc... And "Krabong" class will include staff, spear, "Ngaw" (Naginata-liked weapon) and polearms. Things were changed little by little by time. But you will notice quick vs powerful weapons fight is included in the show. And unlike old style "Dahb" scool, "Krabi-Krabong" schools always teach both agile and powerful weapons.

28th February 2006, 12:33 PM	#6
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	For most Thai people, Krabi represent Sabre type "Dahb" and Krabon means plain polearm like staff or club. But from my research Krabi-Krabong words has even more complex story. As you may know, Krabi-Krabong is a kind of demonstration/sparing/contest which was popular during late Authaya-Early Ratanakosin era. But the name haven't been used for such game until early Ratanakosin. Before that tmie, only "Dahb" sparing, staff sparing, "Krabi" sparing... exist. Later, collections of sparing things were demonstrated in a single day. Now comes the name. According to Ramayana, "Krabi" has another meaning which is monkey soldier. And "Krabong" literally represent the giant tribe. So, "Krabi-Krabong" stand for Agile vs Powerful weapon demonstration/sparing/contest. The weapon in "agile" or "Krabi" class are Dahb, Krabi, small sickle, hand axe, dagger, short triden etc... And "Krabong" class will include staff, spear, "Ngaw" (Naginata-liked weapon) and polearms. Things were changed little by little by time. But you will notice quick vs powerful weapons fight is included in the show. And unlike old style "Dahb" scool, "Krabi-Krabong" schools always teach both agile and powerful weapons. Last edited by PUFF; 1st March 2006 at 11:55 AM.

13th January 2006, 05:54 AM	#1
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	Being a Thai and knowing the modern Thai language, I know that Krabi refers to as to narrow double edge swords, or daab song kom meaning double edge swords...like the Chinese Jians. The term daab is used very loosely, I guess. But when they talk about big European swords, like the Vikings', they call them daab, also. My guess is it's probably because the big double ege swords can inflict serious wounds on someone like the Thai daabs. Officially, in the Thai language, I think krabi is a double edge sword big or small. I'm not that sure either because I spent all my time here in America, learning English--although, I can read a little Thai. I have to ask my mom...she's very good in writting Thai grammatically correctly.

13th January 2006, 01:16 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Thanks for the information, Pullo! Dan has been out of communication for a long time due to work commitments, and you have no idea how excited I am to have a Thai speaker on the forum. Do you happen to know anyone who can read Burmese?

14th January 2006, 10:00 PM	#3
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	I'm sorry, but I don't know anybody that can read Burmese! Burmese and Thai languages are totally two different languages, eventhough we are close neighbor. And I'm really excited to be here, too! And...sorry for the late reply!

17th January 2006, 04:54 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	This thread very much reminds me of the old Indonesian debate...when is a "parang" a "pedang" or "klewang" or "golok"..... It sounds like the varied Thai terms are moving very much in the same direction, with "daab" or "darb" being the generic (like "parang")...and other words trying to create a specific idea added to the original hoping to create a specific image in the mind's eye. Just a thought.

28th February 2006, 12:23 PM	#5
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	Not only you foreign guys, many Thais often mix Dahb with Krabi. Rather than making my own definition for Dahb and Krabi, I should tell you how most modern-central Thais caragorize weapons. 'coz, there are regional words and there are old words, which are differ from the major population but we will talk about that in another thread. First of all, all Thais will call stuff like this and also Dha as "Dahb" or sometime "Dahb Thai" which literally means traditional Thai sword (or similar stuff. ) http://thaiblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1854 And then katana (wakizashi is included) are call "Dahb Yipoon" or "Dahb Samurai" which means Nippon sword. These blades are clearly fall in "Dahb" catagory. Most single-edged sword such as persian, indian, indonesian are in "Dahb" catagory too. Only their origin were added to its name. There is an exeptional. There are words for officer or calvary sabre and similar blade with guard, the official Thai word is "Krabi" while general term could be "Dahb Fa-rhang" which means foreign (western) sword. (should I remind you that, in Thai language, there are general, official and royal words for some classy stuff like sabre. ) However, double-edged chinese Jian mostly in "Krabi" catagory. This because of chinese Dao already occupied "Dahb" catagory. Although having two sharp edges, european medival longsword always "Dahb" for Thais. To make a specific call, "Dahb Asawin" or medival full-plated knight sword might be used. Never been in "Krabi" catagory.