The Cotton Skirt is among the attractive traditional outfits of the Ao Naga tribes who live primarily in the North Eastern state of India, Nagaland. The Ao Naga is one of the many groups or subethnicities of Nagas in large numbers depending on their crafts and cultural expression. Their rich textile tradition not only reflects great fabric but social customs, beliefs and aesthetic sensibilities of Ao Nagas. This skirt is meticulously woven from cotton typical in most tribal communities for its robustness, comfort, and adaptability to the different climates in the regions. The body of the skirt is richly embroidered with geometric designs in striking blue and pink colors, which often symbolize some meanings about tribal identity, fertility, and nature. Geometric forms are generally considered as symbols of Naga weaving, which represent stylistic precision and cultural continuity in the wall and other weaving.
An important feature of this Ao Naga skirt is the multi-coloured wave design running along the lower border. This curious fringe adds to the lively sense of the dress during ceremonial dances and public gatherings. The ends of the skirts are fringed with many cotton tassels, adding to their charm and completing the traditional touch. Mostly, it is a cotton skirt that Ao Naga women put during festive occasions like Moatsu and Tsüngremong in addition to some other socio cultural programs of the community meant to celebrate tribal heritage. This is not just a dress; it is something through which stories of the ancestors' lineage are told, artworks displayed, and community pride manifested