Holding a long bamboo mug by the Chang Naga tribe of Nagaland, it truly attests to the ingenuity of the craft of the tribe to draw from resources afforded by nature for daily purposes. It is a single hollow piece of bamboo that has a narrow neck and constricted opening, providing the criterion for either pouring or drinking liquid contents. The upper part is held tightly with a cane strip, primarily as a structural addition as well as for decoration. Some of its more distinctive features include a depression and a groove that promote further ergonomics in grip and use. This same groove can also be of use in the characterization of slippage prevention or even suspension of the mug while in storage.
Bamboo vessels such as these would typically have been used to drink water, rice beer (zu), or herbal infusions consumed, typically in ceremonial occasions, rituals, or as a break during fieldwork. The Chang Nagas have a long tradition of making things with bamboo and cane. Their products are very versatile and include domestic items, tools, and containers in tune with their lifestyle in the rugged terrains of Nagaland. The use of cane to bind the bamboo mug is an illustration of an advanced understanding of natural materials and their flexibility and strength. This object not only represents the utility-based craftsmanship by the tribe but is also a symbol of its cultural form and function, wherein beauty is put into practical living.