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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{distinguish|Dao (Chinese sword)}}<br />
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Naga words and phrases]]}}<br />
{{Infobox weapon<br />
|name= Dao<br />
| image= Naga Dao.jpg<br />
| image_size = 150px<br />
|caption= Artistic impression of the Naga/Mizo Dao<br />
|origin= [[Northeast India]]<br />
|type= Sword<br />
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|is_bladed= Yes<br />
<!-- Service history --><br />
|service=<br />
|used_by= [[Naga people]] and [[Mizo people]] <br />
|wars=<br />
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|designer=<br />
|design_date=<br />
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<!-- General specifications --><br />
|spec_label=<br />
|weight={{convert|266.5|g|oz}}<br />
|length= {{convert|45|cm|inch}}-{{convert|65|cm|inch}}<br />
|part_length=<br />
|width={{convert|5.1|cm|inch}}<br />
|height=<br />
|diameter=<br />
|crew=<br />
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications --><br />
|blade_type= Single edge<br />
|hilt_type= wood, cane<br />
|sheath_type= wood, cane<br />
|head_type=steel<br />
|haft_type=<br />
}}<br />
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'''''Dao''''' is the sword of the [[Naga people]] and [[Mizo people]] of [[Northeastern India]], mainly in the [[Indian states]] of [[Nagaland]], [[Mizoram]], [[Manipur]] and [[Assam]]. The sword, with its wooden hilt, and unique square form is used for digging as well as used in historical warfares. In modern times, it is generally used for cutting meat and wood.{{sfn|Burton|1987}}<br />
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==Form==<br />
The ''dao'' broadsword can be found in [[Nagaland]], [[Manipur]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Mizoram]] and [[Assam]] in the northeastern region of [[India]] where the [[Naga people]] and [[Mizo people]] live. The dao has a thick and heavy form, which varies in length from {{convert|45|cm|inch}} to {{convert|65|cm|inch}}. The unique design of this long backsword is that, instead of a point, the tip of the sword is a bevel which creates the appearance of a squarish shape. This form is also found in the Burmese [[dha (sword)|dha]], which is derived from the dao. The form of the dao was first adopted by the [[Kachin people]]. From here the form would evolve to the more elongated dha.{{sfn|Greaves|Bowditch|Winston|2022}}<br />
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The blade of the Dao is almost straight, with a very minimal curve that can only be discerned upon close examination. The blade is heavy and chisel-edged. It has a unique form that it is narrowest at the hilt and the gradually broaden to the endpoint.{{sfn|Stone|2013|p=203}} <br />
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The wooden hilt has a very simple shape, without a guard or without a distinguished pommel. Bamboo root is considered to be the best material for the hilt. The grip of the handle is sometimes wrapped with basketry. Sometimes the hilt is decorated with a bronze cap at the bottom.{{sfn|Greaves|Bowditch|Winston|2022}} The hilt may also be made of ivory, and occasionally can be well-carved.{{sfn|Stone|2013|p=203}} <br />
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Dao is usually carried in an open-sided wooden scabbard which is fastened to a [[rattan]] belt hoop.{{sfn|Stone|2013|p=203}} The scabbard is centrally hollowed out on one face.{{sfn|Greaves|Bowditch|Winston|2022}}<br />
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==Multi-function==<br />
The dao is almost the only tool that was used by the Naga people and Mizo people. It is used for many purposes e.g. for building houses, to clear the forest, to dig the earth, to make the women's weaving tools, and to create any kind of wooden objects. The dao was also used as a weapon in historical warfares.{{sfn|Stone|2013|p=203}}<br />
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==See also==<br />
*[[Dao (Chinese sword)]]<br />
*[[Dha (sword)]]<br />
*[[Boti]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist|30em}}<br />
==Cited works==<br />
{{refbegin}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=The Book Of The Sword |last=Burton |first=Richard F. |publisher=Dover |year=1987 |location=London |isbn=0-486-25434-8 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/bookofsword00burt }}<br />
*{{cite web |url=http://www.arscives.com/historysteel/continentalsea.article.htm |title=THE SWORDS OF CONTINENTAL SOUTHEAST ASIA |last1=Greaves |first1=Ian A. |last2=Bowditch |first2=Mark I. |last3=Winston |first3=Andrew Y. |date=2005 |website=Ars Cives Creativity |publisher=Ars Cives Creativity |access-date=November 15, 2017 }}<br />
*{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/nagadao/index.html |title=Sword-daos of the Hill Tribes of Assam and Nagaland (northeastern India) and of the Kachin Peoples (northern Burma (Myanmar)) |last=Jones |first=Lee A. |date=1999 |website=Viking Sword |publisher=Viking Sword |access-date=November 15, 2017 }}<br />
*{{cite book |last=Stone |first=George Cameron |date=2013 |title=A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chVfUm2Hz3MC |location=Dover |publisher=Courier Corporation |isbn=9780486131290}}<br />
*{{cite book |last=van Zonneveld |first=Albert G. |date=2001 |title=Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DMneAAAAMAAJ |publisher=C. Zwartenkot Art Books |isbn=9789054500049}} <br />
{{refend}}<br />
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{{Swords by region}}<br />
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[[Category:Southeast Asian swords]]<br />
[[Category:Indian swords]]<br />
[[Category:Blade weapons]]<br />
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