Threshing Stick or Cheirong as it is popularly known, is an almost extinct traditional farming tool adopted by the Loi tribe of Manipur, India. This long branch with a slight curve is made from a tree and is designed for threshing in farming, which is one of the important agricultural practices of the tribe. This stick is made in a very special way to achieve special efficiency in separating grains from the stalks.
On one end of the Cheirong are three prongs, with the middle prong splitting outward into four. Such a feature enables the efficient threshing capacity of the implement. The body of the stick has several ridges on it so as to enhance grip during the threshing and thus provide an aid during the mechanical operation of threshing. These ridges also help in limiting slippage during the application of force, making sure the task is effective and easy.
For agriculture-based people like the Loi, tools like the Cheirong are very important in everyday life. It indicates the resourcefulness of a tribe and their comprehensive understanding of their surroundings, using nature for their needs. Such tools are a continuation of a tradition passed on through generations. The Cheirong represents tribal knowledge systems and the connection between the Loi tribe with their traditions of agriculture.