Simple dha

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Marc M.

Hi Ian
This is the sword I mean previously posted by you and served as an example, did not notice the spear point like shape though. Thanks for the provenance and estimate age, older than I thought.Other than the silver piece at the end of the scabbard that is missing the dha is in good condition.
regards
Marc

As others have indicated there really are a lot of varieties of "rounded" tip dhas. I'm attaching another couple just as examples. As you can see this covers a wide range of hilting styles, handle materials, blade styles etc and they are all subtly different.

In relation to Ian's comments about "machetes", from my own experiences in the region, a variety of working knives and tools can be found, including rounded tips, square tips etc. In earlier periods larger sword like examples were common practical things to carry on a daily basis and still are in some areas. I can say from personal experience you need a good blade on you in a lot of southeast Asia for the simple necessity of moving through the terrain let alone the host of other practical applications required throughout a day.

Of course with silver fittings yours Marc would be more upmarket, but the point is that there is a thin line sometimes between a dha being only a weapon and being a tool as well, although I think yours is very much on the weapon side of things.

[SidJ]

Here is one of mine. Termed a Tai lue dha. This one has a relatively long blade and tip is both sweet up and down to create a somewhat spear point shape.

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by Iain

As others have indicated there really are a lot of varieties of "rounded" tip dhas. I'm attaching another couple just as examples. As you can see this covers a wide range of hilting styles, handle materials, blade styles etc and they are all subtly different.

In relation to Ian's comments about "machetes", from my own experiences in the region, a variety of working knives and tools can be found, including rounded tips, square tips etc. In earlier periods larger sword like examples were common practical things to carry on a daily basis and still are in some areas. I can say from personal experience you need a good blade on you in a lot of southeast Asia for the simple necessity of moving through the terrain let alone the host of other practical applications required throughout a day.

Of course with silver fittings yours Marc would be more upmarket, but the point is that there is a thin line sometimes between a dha being only a weapon and being a tool as well, although I think yours is very much on the weapon side of things.

Is it correct to assume that bearers of these types of weapons are/were krabi krabong practitioners?
Regards
Marc

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Marc M.

Is it correct to assume that bearers of these types of weapons are/were krabi krabong practitioners?
Regards
Marc

I would probably hesitate to apply a general term like that to all dha/daab users. Perhaps a better way to phrase it would be that certainly those within the standing militaries and palace structures (meaning also regional power centers) of the time had training in martial arts and sword work. Those in more rural areas, perhaps less so focused on just swords but certainly would have engaged in muay thai. Fights were common for entertainment and training purposes.

There were to my understanding a wide variety of local styles, schools, and techniques adapted to the many varieties of swords we see in the region. But I think generally it's safe to say that a bodyguard to a local ruler or governor certainly spent more time training than say, someone engaged as a caravan guard.

Modern krabi krabong is an amalgamation of styles and techniques, and I am far from knowledgeable on the subtleties of what differentiates it from older techniques, but I understand there are substantial differences.

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by Iain

I would probably hesitate to apply a general term like that to all dha/daab users. Perhaps a better way to phrase it would be that certainly those within the standing militaries and palace structures (meaning also regional power centers) of the time had training in martial arts and sword work. Those in more rural areas, perhaps less so focused on just swords but certainly would have engaged in muay thai. Fights were common for entertainment and training purposes.

There were to my understanding a wide variety of local styles, schools, and techniques adapted to the many varieties of swords we see in the region. But I think generally it's safe to say that a bodyguard to a local ruler or governor certainly spent more time training than say, someone engaged as a caravan guard.

Modern krabi krabong is an amalgamation of styles and techniques, and I am far from knowledgeable on the subtleties of what differentiates it from older techniques, but I understand there are substantial differences.

Thanks Ian, My first and main interest is Congo weapons. That each boy was trained from a certain age in Congo to be a warrior and initiated into everything a man needed to know and be able to survive in a harsh and dangerous living environment. The handling of different weapons was covered and man to man combat, often wrestling techniques. From that standpoint I assumed that in South East Asia there might have been similar structures in the education of boy to man. If you walk around with a sword/machete every day you better be able to handle it.
Regards
Marc

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Marc M.

Thanks Ian, My first and main interest is Congo weapons. That each boy was trained from a certain age in Congo to be a warrior and initiated into everything a man needed to know and be able to survive in a harsh and dangerous living environment. The handling of different weapons was covered and man to man combat, often wrestling techniques. From that standpoint I assumed that in South East Asia there might have been similar structures in the education of boy to man. If you walk around with a sword/machete every day you better be able to handle it.
Regards
Marc

Broadly speaking yes, and that continues into the modern day, its amazing what you can accomplish with a working knife or dha, a bit of bamboo, rattan etc.

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by Iain

Broadly speaking yes, and that continues into the modern day, its amazing what you can accomplish with a working knife or dha, a bit of bamboo, rattan etc.

When I was a fresh twenty-something, young, agile and fast, I practiced Pencak silat an Indonesian martial art, participated in competitions and demonstrations. At one of those demonstration galas there was also a krabi krabong/ muy thai and escrima demonstration both of which were very impressive and left a lasting impression.
Who knows, maybe I'll pick it up again now that I'm in my early sixties.
Regards
Marc

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Marc M.

When I was a fresh twenty-something, young, agile and fast, I practiced Pencak silat an Indonesian martial art, participated in competitions and demonstrations. At one of those demonstration galas there was also a krabi krabong/ muy thai and escrima demonstration both of which were very impressive and left a lasting impression.
Who knows, maybe I'll pick it up again now that I'm in my early sixties.
Regards
Marc

There are certainly plenty of serious practitioners in Thailand and the surrounding countries who have preserved the history and culture of their martial arts. I am not involved in martial arts myself but also find it impressive for sure!