Hmong Knife

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Battara

... the Hmong knife forms shown are not indigenous?

That's mostly correct Jose. After talking with several Hmong informants in Minneapolis, they tell me that Hmong knives are basic work knives that were adapted for other purposes. Most resemble the Thai enap knives with a wide belly (similar to the middle and bottom knives Wayne has posted in #4 of this topic), while others are more influenced by Chinese shapes such as the "river pirate" knives (somewhat similar to the top knife Wayne has posted in #4 of this topic). They come in various sizes. Wide-mouthed rectangular wooden scabbards are the norm. Their swords are long handled, similar to those of other Montagnard tribal groups and probably based on earlier Lao forms. My SEA swords and knives are not easily accessible at the moment but when I have more time I'll post some typical Hmong examples.