This is a smooth coarse cotton cloth, usually handloom-woven using local looms and natural fibers, embodying the essence of durability and cultural significance. The usual off-white background tone for the cloth is easily combined with vibrant shades for the border design. The borders of the cloth alternate red and blue stripes, representing an element in many Naga garments that signify communal identity and social status. The broad red stripe occupying a place of prominence in between two strips-an odd blue with red on either side-is a striking contrast in itself and evokes many meanings in different tribal contexts-linked to fertility, bravery, and a sense of belongingness.
Such color and design patterning lays out all the Angami concepts of aesthetics-where bold, meaningful patterns animated with practicality intermingle. Two individual pieces of this cloth are sewn together to lengthen it, demonstrating how dividing larger garments into smaller woven units has traditionally been the way of construction. Textiles of these types are draped around the body during festivals, dances, and rituals to confirm their significance in the culture