Mi-lam Sword of the Garo People from North East India

The Garo people (Estimated 1.1 million people) inhabiting the states of Maghalaya, Assam and Nagaland as well as several neighboring states. Garo warriors were long known to  practice  headhunting. Garo sword known as Mi-lam was always related to head hunting. This sword is of unusual shape and construction. It is forged from a single piece of steel some times imported steel removed from car springs or other imported machines.  The blade is long, double edged with a shallow diamond cross section. The long handle is forged in one piece with the blade, it is obscurely waved ending in a spatula shaped pommel. A cross guard made from a thin long steel pin is mounted at the center of the handle, covered with Bamboo ending with tuft of hair.

The Mi-lam offered here is a typical exemplar, blade 18 1/2 inches (47 cm) long. Total length 34 inches (86 cm). Good condition. Blade lightly acid cleaned. The bamboo cover on cross guard is missing. Rare sword. Early 20 C.