It is a traditional weaving apparatus used by the Khasi community of Meghalaya, primarily known for its rich tradition of weaving. Two wooden rods and three flat wooden pieces are attached, forming the framework to conceal the hanging weaving.Both of the vertical wooden posts can be mounted on the base rectangular wooden platform. Each has a longitudinal perforation. The wooden rods and flat pieces pass through these perforations to form a stable and adjustable frame. One of the rods has been particularly designed with a handle at one end for controlling the movement of the threads or any other part during weaving. The rods have also been carved at one end, suggesting functional detailing with mechanical aspects of traditional hand-weaving.
The device made a significant contribution to the creation of various Khasi traditional textiles, including garments such as jainsen (a wrap-around piece of cloth for women) and shawls. Woven in traditional ways from cotton or eri silk, they serve utilitarian and cultural purposes, being an ingredient for many rituals and festivals.Thus maintaining such traditional tools in the Indian Museum, Kolkata accounts to the considerable heritage of tribal craftsmanship. Weaving techniques of the Khasi tribe thus reflect the very peaceful co-existence with nature experienced in the times of forlorn handloom traditions in northeastern India.