The wooden pipe is an ethnic artifact of the Phom Naga tribe and combines artistic craftsmanship with the smoking traditions of the tribe. It is made of a single wood piece carved as a monkey holding the human face. The aforementioned human face has a prominent nose, two ears, and sniveling eyes, bringing a distinct design to the pipe.
Among Phom Naga tribesmen, smoking is something that lies beyond being a personal habit or merely a fun thing. This is especially so when pipes like this are transported into the common gatherings for telling stories or into a traditional ceremony. The sculpted face of a man along with the figure of a monkey is meant to convey a relationship between nature and human beings, representing an important theme in the culture of the tribe.
The wooden pipe is found in the Indian Museum, Kolkata, and symbolizes the woodwork expertise of the tribe and the finer details in their craftsmanship. The actual pipe tells the story of the cultural narrative as well as expressions in the artistic form of the Phom Naga people; thus, it is an important part of their heritage.