The traditional dao from Arunachal Pradesh attests both to indigenous craftsmanship and functional beauty of tribal weaponry. It has a pointed iron blade with a sharp cutting edge that can be used for multifarious purposes, from agriculture to self-defense.
The bamboo handle on which the blade is fixed has been covered with cane strips of intricate patterns. This enhances both grip and strength of the join. A special bamboo scabbard fits precisely with the blade. The scabbard is decorated with cane bands, making both useful and aesthetic contributions to its existence. The lower cylindrical portion affords stability while being worn or hung up, and the upper flattened portion secures the blade even better.
Among the Shan Tribe, such dao were used for all purposes in the rugged terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. Apart from being cutting tools, they symbolized self-sustenance and pride. This dao embodies an extraordinary testimony to the way tribal communities combined natural materials and traditional knowledge to produce implements of useful and cultural significance.