It is a very much embroidered belt of the Ao Naga Tribe, which is an important tribal community in Nagaland; the Ao belt is a symbolic masterpiece altogether with a cultural identity of its own and is used chiefly to hang the ceremonial dao-at one time unambiguously bore with aplomb by Naga men. The color combination of the belt is red and black, which symbolize strength, vitality, and warriorship; colorful fringes stand for further ceremonial effect. The very wooden carving case is the pride to own and is solely meant for dao sheathing. The rectangular-shaped wooden case is exquisitely carved and decorated with engraved patterns that bear the traditional designs of the Nagas, which are oftentimes from nature, ancestors, and tribal warfare.
There are also meanings attached to these fringes; small brass pieces embedded in them express the love of the tribe for natural material combined with metal ornamentation. Orchid skin, meanwhile, is a rare adornment among the Nagas, representing elegance and respectability. The brass pieces contribute shine with the connotation of wealth and status. The belt is mentioned during the festivals of Moatsu and Tsüngremmong; aside from its utility, the belt is also ceremonial and a symbol of masculine pride. Housed inside the Indian Museum in Kolkata, the belt gives us glimpses across the warrior tradition, artistic achievement, and cultural glory of the Ao Naga tribe.