The digging stick, known as Hanpanjer in the local vernacular, forms part of the Rabha culture, which is primarily found as native populations in Assam, Meghalaya, and some bits of West Bengal. It comprises a long bamboo shaft which has a split end that subsequently forms spikes to improve soil breaking efficiency. At the opposite end, an iron blade is firmly wedged to allow insidious penetration into the ground, besides adding a cane strap wound around the tang, reinforcing its structure through the durability it provides.
Indeed, the Rabhas have an agricultural history-their crops have been grown using such implements as hanpanjer for cultivating, digging, and preparing soil before planting. It is more of a subsistence form of agriculture where human labor is particularly of paramount importance. Because the digging stick is light in weight and can easily be handled, it serves its purpose in small farming in hilly regions and forests with difficult access for modern machinery.
Now preserved in the Indian Museum, Kolkata, the Hanpanjer symbolizes the ingenuity found in indigenous farming techniques. Till date, even after modernization, the Rabha community is still using this tool, showing their bond with traditional agricultural heritage.