This artifact is a bamboo dao shaft, traditionally used by the Sema Naga tribe of Nagaland. The dao, a hefty machete-like blade, is perhaps among the most iconic and multifunctional tools among the Naga tribes. It has served in the Naga cultures as a means to defend oneself and also for agricultural, domestic, and ceremonial work. It is a very strong and flexible bamboo shaft that constitutes an integral part of the dao to hold the blade more firmly. There is skilled workmanship involved, as the bamboo dao shaft was envisaged in a way such that it was durable and would not slip from one's grip. Being light gives it an edge in free movement, which is crucial in the jungles and also in the defence context. Bamboo, plenty in Nagaland, finds its best use for such purposes and is well appreciated with its strong, shock-absorbent yet has a firm grip-textured finish.
The Sema Naga tribe, sometimes called the Sumi Nagas, are known for their martial traditions and fine craft. The daos are not only a symbol of work but also of status and identity; they are frequently handed down within families or carried during important community events. The shaft of the dao is much more than just a handle; it serves as a living link to a tribal legacy, tying its utilitarian purpose to cultural pride . This bamboo dao shaft, despite the comparatively simple form, acts as a vessel carrying the concepts of sustainability, the indigenous knowledge system, and the martial tradition of the Sema Naga tribe.