This bamboo vessel is actually a very small cylindrical vessel, made out of a natural bamboo segment, which is traditionally used by the Naga tribes in Nagaland, India (in the north-eastern region of India). Bamboo-an incredibly flexible and generous natural material in this region-holds an important place in everyday life among the Naga communities, literally for purposes and an use in decoration.Differentiating this from other collecting vessels, this only is open-ended and cylindrical. The upper part has a very good artistic design using plaited cane showing the tribesmen's mastery of bamboo and cane craft: This design is a highly intricate one, purely aesthetic, yet additional strength is provided making it well suited for use.
The types of things that can be kept in closed containers of such a design include the liquid types; these are rice beer (Zutho), water, or sometimes oil, as well as occasionally dried grains or herbs. They act as great assets for day to day tribal life and community get-together activities because they are easy to carry and have a particular insulation by nature. They can also be seen in festivals and rituals as emblems of prosperity and hospitality.Using eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and cane indicates a 'natural' kind of lifestyle to which the Naga people are accustomed; being naturally inclined towards nature. Every piece handcrafted such as this vessel is a testimony to the systems of knowledge within the tribe-their tradition, craft, and a culture so many shared values.The piece is now housed under Ethnographic Collection in Indian Museum, Kolkata. This bamboo vessel is a source of wealth for study of material culture and quotidian practices of the Naga tribes.