The Ao Naga tribe is one of the important Naga communities in Mokokchung district, Nagaland, with a rich culture and sophisticated craft skills. Among objects that Ao people create for use or ceremony, the dao-holder is of practical and symbolic importance; it is used to carry and protect the traditional dao (machete or blade). The classic Ao dao holder, usually rectangular and sturdy, serves to ensure the safe keeping of the blade secured inside. Two small rectangular grooves on either lateral side serve an important structural function: they lighten the holder, permitting the user to secure the blade or sling the holder onto a belt or strap when on the move or hunting.
Dramatic-looking geometric carvings cover the dorsal side of the dao holder, a feature that deserves special notice. These carvings hardly serve mere decorative functions; they bear testimony to the aesthetic values of the Ao tribe and perhaps portray tribal identity, esteem, or ancestral designs. Such artistic detailing brings to the fore the significance of even everyday objects in Ao cultural life. More than a simple sheath, the dao holder serves as evidence of the Ao Naga tribe's merger of utility with artistic expression, revealing the reverence for craftsmanship and tradition this society possesses.