Phom Naga Tribe ceremonial dao is an important weapon that represents bravery, status, and heritage among the natives of Longleng District, Nagaland. This kind of dao was reserved for head-takers, warriors who commanded great honor and respect in Phom society. It comprises two major parts: a bent iron blade and a bamboo handle. The lower part of the blade is then carefully fitted into place in the handle with an iron ferrule that offers a snug and stable join. The structural build reflects the balance and durability in weapon-making that the tribe understood.
It's also very artistic as it shows the handle with cane strips that are plaited in and tightly woven around the grip not only to hold bayonet but also to provide beauty to the dao. An engraving found near the blunt end of its blade distinctly resembles the English alphabet 'E', one of the popular motifs in ceremonial blades of the Phom, possibly signifying a warrior identity or tribal representation. This, unlike the common daos that serve their purpose as tools in farming or daily chores, is ceremonial and historic in nature and thus reverently displayed or carried in tribal festivals and rituals as a sign of honor, bravery, and ancestral pride.