Delectably delightful and indeed exquisite, this bamboo spoon is a traditional household artifact produced by the Angami Naga, among the major Naga communalities residing in Nagaland, India. The Angamis are well reputed for their splendid bamboo and woodcraft which are habitually real objects of utility and unique design in their everyday tools. The semi-elongated but slender is an idea of a good grip and easy functionality. What distinguishes this all is its triangular-shaped head, bearing a very close resemblance to a digging hoe- perhaps inspired by the agricultural tools that are quite often used in Naga society.
Instead of a circular cut head from a portion of a curved bamboo using a scoop or stirring for some traditional food preparation or serving such as meat stews or rice-based dishes, it can accommodate some other functions. Lightweight, durable and made from a single piece of bamboo, this spoon is such a fine example of environmental sustainability through handcrafted goods by a tribe. The Angamis, known for their art of transforming local, renewable resources into tools serving a strong utility realism-from cooking and serving to ceremonial use, have conditioned this spoon. Simple in structure but very much culture-laden, it resonated with the deep affinity of the Angami people with their environment. It yet tells how traditional knowledge and design are passed through generations, how that self-culture is confined in everyday artifacts.