The Khasis are an indigenous people of Meghalaya, in northeast India, who are vibrant in their traditions and obscure in their cultural expressions, which are seen in many ordinary domestic implements. Among the useful utensils commonly found in every household, the wooden pot is a handcrafted utensil with utilities for use as well as display purposes. With a flat base, the pot easily rests on the ground. The most pronounced feature seen on the pot is concentric ring engravings adorning the body. Such ornamental patterns might be symbolic of culture or tribal identity or just a means of indicating a particular signature style of the craftsman. The gorgeous detailing captures the fine workmanship treasured by the community concerning carving, which has for many generations been their way of livelihood, creating a sense of local ambiance.
Traditionally, these pots were used to store water, grains, or anything fermenting, or herbal brews. Being made of wood, such utensils would naturally keep the contents cool and protected. Therefore, wooden pots would make vessels that last long and are eco-friendly. In what little remains of the Khasi way of life, which is still interweaved with nature and sustainability, using wooden utensils such as this pot stands testimony to their proper utilization of even things existing at hand. Such artifacts, including the Khasi wooden pot, convey knowledge and skills that link to the identity, ethos, and cultural values of the Khasis and represent one means of interpreting traditional knowledge.