The Mizo, a tribe in Mizoram, built this pitcher-shaped water container out of clay, emblematic of their relationship with nature and how they can convert organic materials into everyday functional objects. Mizo people who are found in the gruesome, lush hills of Mizoram depended on gourd and cane resources for many purposes, especially when making household articles.The container is made from a hollow, dried gourd, skillfully shaped into a small pitcher. The body is smooth and polished, showcasing the care taken in its preparation. It has a short, constricted neck, which makes pouring water easy while minimizing spillage. The strap made from split cane is tightly and neatly bound around the body of the container, offering both support and aesthetic charm.
This cane strap is a 2-in-1 feature: it is at once a handle near the opening which ushers the user to lift the container with ease, and serves as a base or stand for allowing the container to stand up right at all times. Such multipurpose design speaks volumes of the Mizo tribe ingenuity and of their utilitarian crafts. True to its traditional use of carrying water, particularly in traveling and agricultural work, this gourd water container is an ideal oxymoron of sustainability, tradition, and craft embedded within tribal lifestyles.