Traditionally made by the Angami Naga tribe of Nagaland, India, this bamboo beater is an important agricultural instrument for beating grains-from one of the most crucial steps of traditional grain processing methods-before mechanization reached the region. It exemplifies this community's ingenuity in exploiting available natural materials for daily purposes. The five parallel bamboo sticks are selected: cut to size, with their natural nodes preserved at the ends. These nodes enhance the functioning of this tool, allowing it to strike the grains away from the husks during halftime efficiently. The bamboo sticks are tied with cane strips-a Naga craftsmanship hallmark-for durability and uniformity.
The handle attached alongside bamboo rods is made from cane strips giving it a good grip and durability. Ergonomically designed, the beater can withstand repetitive stress during its usage without causing fatigue, a rich organizational wisdom ingrained in tribal tools. It serves both practical purposes and represents the Angami Naga sustenance and self-reliant cultures that depend on the natural environment for livelihood and sustainance. Such tools find place in the social fabric of agricultural life, where community work and seasonal rhythms are celebrated through shared labor.