The Nagas

Hill Peoples of Northeast India

Project Introduction The Naga Database

miscellaneous papers, notebooks and letters on Nagas by Ursula Graham Bower, 1937-1947

caption:

artefacts collected by Ursula Graham Bower

caption:

wooden models of daos

medium:

notes

person:

Zhekhuingba/ of Laisong

location:

Khangnam Laisong

date:

12.1.1946

production:

person:	Graham Bower/ Ursula
date:	1937-1946

acquirer:

person:

private collection

text:

Khangnam, wooden models of daos (half-scale)

text:

1) Labelled pe-tsao-ke

text:

Same pattern as Hia-zut-ke (iron specimen in my possession, made by Zhekhuingba of Laisong).

text:

2) As 1, with double-hook, though I have never heard of a double-hook pattern in metal.

text:

3) Nkhang-ke

text:

Query: survival of a war-club ?

text:

These wooden models are carried by young men, at Matui-ra and kindred dekachang feasts, when in full dress. They are often decorated with black bars and "weaving sword" patterns.

text:

4) As 3.

text:

Models made for me in Khangnam, 12.1.46; cost 2/-. These wooden models are about 1/2 to 1/4 size. The wooden models when full-size are often very large, larger by far than a metal dao would be.

text:

I cannot trace a metal nkhang-ke anywhere. A few metal specimens of 1) exist, mostly ear-marked as grave-furniture.

text:

5) Hia-zut-ke. Large specimen made at Laisong by Zhekhuingba of that village, from half a piece of (stolen) rail about 18" or less in length, employing only the usual tools and forge.

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