Bonda tribe of India is one of the most ancient and isolated indigenous communities in the country, presently inhabiting the hilly terrain of Malkangiri district in Odisha. Bonda possesses vast knowledge of traditional handicrafts besides their language, dress, and customs, which is largely evident in their handcrafted tools like the Sutap-a pair of traditional bolts used in hunting or other daily practices such as hunting.
A Sutap actually consists of two bamboo bolts, which differ from each other when it comes to size and color—one being big and yellow-colored whilst the other one is small and black-colored. These bolts may serve different functional or ritual purposes, showing how the Bonda people have a very nuanced understanding of tool specialization.A bolt is basically long, thin bamboo shaft-specific because, as mentioned before, they serve certain purposes, thus, being made from, or born of, a species of bamboos-monophone. One end of the shaft is provided with some wide, projected bamboo piece which acts as a stabilizer or maybe impact enhancer to be used at that end of the shaft. The opposite end has a feather tied with a thread to contribute to the aerodynamic balance of the bolt during its flight. In addition to these pieces, the end of the shaft is forked or split into two forming a small groove which probably either helps in launching or helps fit the bolt to a traditional bow or launcher.