This is a waist band which has been woven from a blend of wool and cotton under the instructions of a very good designer based on a geometrical pattern finished off with bright colored bold stripes. An excellent example of the traditional art of the Monpa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, the waist band was combined function and decoration utility not offering only warmth and durability for the cold regions of the Himalayan foothills, but rather instantaneously acting like a badge of culture.
This waist band has been woven by the Monpa artisans using ancient techniques which have been handed down for many generations. These geometric patterns and the different colors strips convey different meanings which reflect the natural elements, spiritual beliefs, and social values inherent in Monpa culture. The waist band, which is usually worn during the occasions of festivals, religious ceremonies, and everyday lives of Monpa women, holds the traditional gear, thus carrying one's identity. The bright colors and lively designs do justice to the tribe's bond with nature, as well as celebrating their ancestral heritage.
It also stands as a proud example of the continuity in traditional craft that adapts with modernity. It has thus emerged as an equally significant marker of ethnic pride and artistic expression among Monpas.