The Selu is a traditional weapon of the Garo tribe of Meghalaya. It is a beautiful specimen of their martial and hunting legacy. Because great care was taken into its development, this weapon is preserved in the Indian Museum, Kolkata, and it stands testimony as a fine piece of indigenous weaponry in craftsmanship and cultural significance. It bears a leaf-shaped, long iron blade with a pointed tip; though, slightly bent and damaged, it may possibly be indicative of its use in a battle or hunting. The blade has a faint medial ridge, on both sides, structurally offering strength. Its socket has a small size through which cylindrical and polished bamboo handle fit tight within as it shows that the tribe has imbibed a fusion in the use of metals and organic species.
Seven intricately braided cane straps wrap the bamboo handle - five towards the socket for an extra grip and control and two at the mid to near the handle, most likely for decoration or symbolism. Thus, the Garo tribe had adopted natural materials such as bamboo and cane closer to their surrounding forest. Traditionally, such spears were given dual purposes-these were weapons for protection in war and hunting materials for food. Today they illuminate the lifestyle and make of the Garo people, which museums and ethnographic records save for posterity.