A ceremonial dao is one of the unique traditional weapons of Konyak Tribe-the largest Naga tribe endowed with very distinct cultures residing in Mon district of Nagaland. While the Konyaks make use of many forms of their daos, the one popularly known is the ceremonial dao, famous for splendid and intricate workmanship in addition to its ritualistic significance. It consists of two major parts. The iron blade is a flat bamboo handle. The blade is, apart from wearing engraved designs tribal motifs awarding identity with a warrior and the artistic sensibilities of the Konyak people, sharp curved cutting edge to slice as well as blunt edge forming 'E' this type, which serves as an exclusive feature of Konyak ceremonial blades.
This is equally exquisite as it is decorated with red and black goats' hairs, the traditional colors signifying vitality and strength. The intersectionality between the blade and the handle is carefully bound up using the intertwined cane strips for lasting endurance and aesthetics. In fact, this is unlike miscellaneous other daos used for agriculture and even hunting, carrying its own unique purpose of usage during ceremonies and rituals, wherein usually those elderly or warriors possess during the vibrant Aoling festival, which is the Konyak New Year Celebration. It speaks for honor, inheritance, and tribal pride from this generation to the next.