The Assamese people make their traditional and aesthetic objects out of material that can be found around. This vessel serves an entirely utilitarian purpose, resembling a pitcher with a broad lower body tapering up toward the neck, with a relatively small opening and a rounded base. The organic curve of the vessel allows for easy handling and pouring, while the gourd as a natural material keeps the contents cool-an advantage in these hilly and humid areas of Northeast India. Lightweight, biodegradable, and insulating properties made gourd vessels useful for tribes across India since ancient times. Among the Khasis, containers of this type are used to store water, milk, and fermented drinks. The ecological knowledge of the Khasi tribe is reflected in this vessel's design that can be beautifully fashioned from simple, naturally available materials into an important sustainable household item.
In addition to these important purposes, they are also cultural markers and embodiments of the aesthetic values, lifestyle, and resourcefulness of the Khasi. Inheritance over generations has ensured that the gourd vessels remain an essential part of domestic life. At times, they are decorated or engraved for special occasions. This vessel is yet another striking evidence of how the Khasi community would develop an environmental sustainability ethic into its daily practices, making it one of the very important objects of material culture in Meghalaya's tribal heritage.