This rattan helmet is among the classic protective headgear used by the Tangkhul Naga tribe of Manipur. Made of interwoven rattan strips, the helmet speaks of the traditional skill of the people in cane and bamboo work-these materials are found in abundance in the region and are actual subjects of their livelihood.
The helmet is composed of a rectangular body having a circular base and a conical top, thus providing stability and gentlemanly charm. Two cane strips reinforce the rim; these strips increase functionality and act as a testimony to practical innovations of indigenous skills. This construction indicates that the helmet could have served some ceremonial purpose along with that of actual protection-during rites, dances, or rituals pertaining to combat or hunting. Among the Tangkhul Naga, these helmets are more than mere headgear; they symbolize strength, tribal pride, and traditional valor. Their designs also reflect a marriage of form and function-evidence of the interface of the community with nature and its resources.
Ethnographic Documentation of the Tangkhul Naga Tribe, Manipur