The Mikir, or Karbi tribes, are actually Aboriginal tribes that dwell predominantly in Karbi Anglong and adjacent areas of Assam. They hold a rich heritage attached to their traditional ways of life. Their dresses actually reflect functionality and their culture. Among the various traditional dresses worn by the Mikir men, the langoti can be said to form an important piece of cloth. Generally, a langoti is a narrow cotton cloth. Very normally, it acts as a lower body garment. The Mikir tribe's version of it is, however, off-white coarse cotton, which is breathable and comfortable for humid Assam. What actually makes it different from any other langoti is the red designed stripes seen at both ends, making it visually appealing as well as adding tribal identity to a utilitarian garment. The designs are often minimalistic yet meaningful, representing traditional forms of patterns passed from one generation to the next.
At the ends fringes of cotton threads add to the design and serve a further purpose: the threads hold the fabric from unraveling. Most times, the langoti is worn for regular chores, mainly working in the fields, and hence reflects the close association the tribe has with nature and their labor-intensive living. With time, though such clothes do not receive much attention in urban places, they are always worn during cultural festivals, rituals, and community get-togethers. Therefore, preserving the Mikir heritage.