Kachin Dao Sword, Burma

Dao Sword

This dao sword is characteristic of Burma’s Kachin people. It comprises a single-edged steel blade that flares towards a squared end; a silver shank collar decorated with silver wire strands, a wooden hilt with a black lacquer coating and a bone pommel decorated with brass tacks. The curved scabbard is of lacquered wood with a central rib on one side, and is open on the other. It finishes with a pointed end. Five plaited rattan strands and one wider section of rattan and palm leaf wrap around the scabbard and these compensate for the fact that the scabbard has only one side, allowing the blade to be inserted into the scabbard securely.

The scabbard has a finely woven shoulder strap attached. This, like the rest of the sword has a fine patina and shows obvious age and use.

The overall sword ensemble is in excellent condition. The blade shows old signs of light surface rusting but otherwise everything is intact. The shoulder strap particularly is an excellent attribute. Usually, these are missing.

Kachin State is Burma’s northern-most state. It is bordered by China and India as well as Burma’s Shan State. The Kachin ethnic group (also known as the Jinghpaw) dominate the state and number more than a million. Traditional Kachin society was based on shifting hill agriculture. Villages were organised under chieftains who depended on support from immediate kinsmen. Traditional religion was animist, but today most are Christian as a consequence of missionary activity during the British colonial period.