The Naga tribes are world-famous artisans living for the most part in Nagaland, India. They are masters in the art of wood carving, and a typical example is the dao holder which is a sheath for carrying the traditional Naga machete known as the dao.

A beautiful example of a dao holder from Nagaland is preserved in Indian Museum, Kolkata. This object is made of wood and cotton, the most common materials the Naga use. The wooden structure makes it sturdy and the cotton components impart flexibility and comfort to the wearer. Such holders are usually embellished with beautiful decorations, pokerwork, and woven cane strips encircling the holder, indicating the artistic nature and attention to detail in Naga life.
In Naga society, the dao originates from the biggest must-have tool that cuts across diverse applications — agriculture, hunting, and general chores in life.

The dao holder seems to fulfill the practical element of preserving and transporting the dao but also carries cultural significance. Some dao holders have been carved with sculptures of human or animal figures, for example, tigers representing power and bravery. Such decoration might be indicative of social position or accolade among the population.

The dao holders best demonstrate this art that all Naga people's woodcarving-the flexible art has been transformed by the use of functional items in one's culture into an object of cultural representation. To preserve such items in museums is to lay bare the social reproductive nexus in which these artifacts have traveled besides providing insight into the lifestyles of the Naga tribes. It addresses them in their artisanal skills and rich cultural heritage.