This dao is a traditional form of Kuki Tribes of Manipur that maps the entire craft work and practical ingenuity of one among Northeast India's indigenous communities. It has been kept in Indian Museum, Kolkata. The dao has a strong iron blade and a long wooden handle. Thus, this blade has a keen concave edge for slicing through wood or crops, whereas the nearly straight blunt edge provides structural balance. An iron ferrule holds it securely into the handle. Below the ferrule, an iron ring further strengthens the area of grip while an iron cap attached on the bottom end of the handle gives durability and always keeps it well in weight distribution.
Typically, it has been associated with agriculture and hunting, and in some cases even tribal warfare. The dao has more value than being an important tool in the Kukis' lives because, besides its use, it has also been given 'cultural' significance and is thus carried in festivals and ceremonies. This dao, then, is confirmation of the thrift, tradition, and identity of the people from Kuki of Manipur and the last testimony of their deep connection to a life based on land and forest.