The cane strap, the property of the Angami Naga tribe, is indeed a traditional use object that is employed for carrying baskets on one's back. The strap is functionally simple but well thought out in design: it is made up of a central woven part that is composed of flat cane strips allowing for a firm but flexible surface that rests on the forehead or on the shoulders; at each end, two twisted ropes are attached which secure and stabilize the basket during transport. With hilly terrains as the mainstay for the Angamis, these straps are daily life aids, particularly in carrying agricultural produce, firewood, and water containers. The baskets, mostly conical in shape, are carried by these cane straps designed to distribute weight evenly and relieve load-bearing pressure.
The strap design demonstrates the craftsmanship of the Angami Nagas in cane and bamboo weaving, a practice that is very much part of their worldview and cultural setting. The natural and locally available cane used also signifies sustainability and ensures the product's strength and capability to withstand regular usage. Over and above functional value, such objects are often adorned or become family heirlooms, representing intergenerational transmission of knowledge and daily practices among the tribe.