The Kuki people, found mainly in Manipur are known for their artistic work and great cultural traditions. Among various artifacts of Kuki culture, the brass tobacco pipe could be considered a distinguished example of an object made for art and utility.
Pipe embellishment on the bowl and handle depicts certain engravings that exemplify the artistic abilities and cultural symbolism of the tribe itself. Resting near the mouth of the pipe is a tiny carving of a bird, most likely that of a hornbill, which bears great cultural significance among the people of Northeast India and symbolizes strength, identity, and tradition.
Made of brass, this pipe shows the Kuki tribe's artisan skills in metalwork, handed down from generation to generation. Besides being a smoking gadget, it conveys the status of a person among those engaged in a social setting or during ceremonies and rituals. Such objects play an imperative part in the preservation of the heritage and identity of the tribe, signifying rigid traditions.