These are Dumlups, a traditional headgear of the Mishmi tribe, who were an indigenous community within the hilly terrains of Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. The oval-shaped hat is detailedly made of cane strips that show the richness of the tradition of bamboo and cane workmanship pertaining to the people, inter-weaved on both its outer and inner surfaces to offer it apart from the aesthetic finish; an insulated protection against elements of nature-sunshine, and rain.
It has a flat base for comfortable fitting, while the rim is finished with thick, duty- braided cane designs, exposing the hard work that goes into making it. It is usually worn by the people during festivals, religious rituals, and in day-to-day life; thus, it serves the roles of functional and cultural modes. For the Mishmi people, cane weaving is not merely a craft, but life tradition, lived across generations about their close relationships with mother nature and sustainable resource utilization.