The Dha Research Archive is a free-access resource maintained by Mark I. Bowditch. It is intended for those interested in the study and appreciation of the Southeast Asian dha (also called dah, daab, darb or dai dao), a single-edged sword common through-out mainland Southeast Asia, but often called “the national sword of Burma”.
What you will find on the site is a set of illustrated descriptions of the dha in Mark’s personal collection, and from the collections of contributors, plus some information on dha obtained from publicly-available sources or used by permission of its owner.
What immediately strikes anyone looking at the huge index of swords is how varied their design and decoration has been. There is not a single shape or profile that typifies the dha. Some sword types – such as the classic Japanese katana – tend to stick close so a familiar profile that makes them readily recognizable. Not so with the dha. It is as varied as the cultures, languages, and people of Southeast Asia.
All images seen here are from the Dha Research Archive.
Visit the Dha Research Archive.
This article is published under fair use and with credit.