This crafted hoe known as a folk hoe was made and used by the Angami Naga tribe from Nagaland in India. This hoe is made of one whole piece of wood and this aspect itself reveals the technical skill exhibited by the tribe and also its sustainable craftsmanship. The handle is pretty long, ridged giving the hoe good grip during agricultural activities particularly for the hilly region. The hoe features a combed blade so that it cuts sharply and has an angle to the head of the handle, which makes digging, loosening of soil and weeding much more efficient. The other end of the blade is thick to provide balance and strength, allowing the tool to take repeated punishment.
This hoe belongs to the Angami Naga community resident to a certain extent in the Kohima district and its surroundings in Nagaland. This implement is extensively used for jhum cultivation (shifting agriculture). It plays a role in seedbed preparation, weed management, and soil health maintenance in traditional farming systems. The single wooden piece demonstrates how close the tribespeople are to nature and a life dependent on material sources found in their locality. Implements like this are more than handy; they carry within themselves the knowledge of the Angami people regarding the sustainable agriculture-forest resource management.