The wooden yoke is an agricultural tool typical of the Mizo tribe of Mizoram that exemplifies such people’s intrinsic contact with and link to nature-sustaining agriculture. The tool was mainly used to carry farm produce or pots containing water, especially over hilly terrain, thus becoming quite an indispensable item in the daily life of a Mizo farmer.This wooden yoke is strong yet relatively lightweight, priced on the sturdiness and ease of use. Attached to it, there is bamboo strap constructed from tightly woven bamboos strips referring to the highly skilled weaving of the tribe and shows that they are resourceful in utilizing local materials around their area. Bamboo is an important part in most household and farm tools of a Mizo because it grows in abundance.
Each side of the yoke is connected with a twisted bark rope, which is also tied to the strap. These ropes are not only strong but flexible, allowing ease in movement and balance when carried over the shoulders. This design is particularly suited for Mizoram's hilly terrain, enabling transport of goods across steep paths.Not merely a tool, the wooden yoke is ensconced in ancient knowledge systems, craftsmanship, and a self-reliant lifestyle of the Mizo people. Today, it still stands as a reminder of times when every tool was designed with sustainability, function, and harmony with nature in mind.