Among all the different tribes in Nagaland, the Angami Naga tribe is reputed for having a very rich material culture, especially in terms of beautiful handcrafted items. The Pisso is one such handcrafted item; it is essentially a traditional cane ring. Pisso rings are created from a very long and thin strip of cane which is coiled into the most seamless and perfect circular form. One can identify the skill in the piece since dyeing of the long cane is undertaken to give it a black form, which further provides a beautiful polished finish adding to its aesthetic and cultural significance. Making a Pisso requires precision and patience. A long strip of cane is selected with care to obtain the best - one that will yield much flexibility and strength.
This will then be heated and dyed usually with natural colors and finally coiled sharply defined so tight that it forms a perfect circle. This coiling not only gives strength but also represents the linkage and wholeness that characterize the Angami as people. In Angami society, the use of Pisso is basically restricted to ornamentation and ceremonial tasks. It may be worn as an ornament during festivals, traditional dances, or community rituals. It is also a sign of a particular social status or clan identity. Apart from being a beautiful artifact, the Pisso deposes deep ecological knowledge about the Angami who extract and sustainably use bamboo and cane from their milieu. This standing testimony is one of blending utility, art, and tradition that epitomizes the cultural life of the Angami Nagas.