This belongs to a family of traditional axes, ones most commonly handcrafted and used as agricultural and utility tools by the Quaymese ethnic group of Arunachal Pradesh state in India. A sharp, straight cutting edge runs along the length of the iron miniature triangular blade attached to the bamboo handle. The bamboo handle itself is much stronger with a thicker end with a long perforation for firm insertion of the blade inside which the more stability and strength will be enhanced during usage.The axe serves to the Quaymese people in wood-cutting, clearing land for jhum cultivation, and many other survival activities. Even if the design looks quite simple, yet it seems to be most effective in keeping agricultural and domestic chores easy with respect to forest and mountain terrains.
In fact, to prove that this axe performs a very good job beside being called a symbol of local material knowledge and ecological sound methods within the functional purview of the tribe, Quaymese tribe is a relatively more obscure indigenous population of Arunachal Pradesh, whose lifestyle still depends a lot on nature and use of traditional tools. That is why, examples like this axe give credence to the function as well as the credibility of the tribe in terms of knowledge in local materials or ecological sound methods. That bamboo and iron brace thus exemplifies sustainable resource use which is enabled through indigenous craftwork.