The three wooden spoons that vary in size and shape are traditional serving implements for one of the major Naga tribes in Nagaland, the Angami Naga. Carved out of a single piece of wood, these spatula-like utensils embody the utility and aesthetic sense of Angami creative skill. Each spoon is carved from a piece of durable local hardwood, the properties of which ensure that the spoons would last long and endure the worst that daily use can inflict upon them. Flat and elongated, these spoons prove effective in serving all manner of traditional Naga dishes, such as rice, meat, and vegetable preparations. Their varying lengths are practical for different uses-associated with larger-size-spoons for meal serving- communal purposes while smaller-size ones for individual portions of delicate items.
Among the Angami, hand-carved wooden tools represent much more than functioning objects-they are acknowledgments of household identity and tradition. Such spoons are usually crafted by local artisans or by members of the family. The traditions of spoon-making are passed from generation to generation. The straightforward designs highlight the tribe's preference for function, resourceful use of materials, and harmony with nature. These wooden spoons mirror the Angami ethos of self-sufficiency, where the necessities of life come from their surroundings and are fashioned according to their needs. They act as tools of sustenance and remain vital in the kitchen as well as in the tribal cultural memory.