Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Itanagar: In the remote hills of Arunachal Pradesh, two items define local identity: the dao machete and the byopa feathered crown. Every Nyishi warrior carries both. They remain central to the survival and social structure of indigenous communities.
The dao is a heavy, single-edged blade forged from iron, steel, or recycled metal. Local blacksmiths shape every handle from wood, bone, or bamboo. These blades serve everyday farming needs or act as ceremonial pieces gifted during weddings. They are kept in scabbards wrapped in animal fur and cowrie shells. Prices for these blades range from Rs 5,000 to over Rs 20 lakhs depending on their quality and layers of forged steel.
Nyishi community member Taw Teri notes, "because every dao is different, each tribe has its own design and due to the modern times, the traditional dao has become a rare heirloom, hence the prices of the traditional blade can sometimes go up to lakhs of rupees."
Tribal identity is built into these tools. Tagin community member Churina Sikom says, "There are various variations of the dao, some are longer than the others, few have brass handles, some show a visible curvature. Because the dao serves as our identity, that’s why so many variations exist." When a patriarch dies, his dao is buried with him. Fathers gift their first blades to sons, passing down a protective legacy.
The byopa headgear serves as a symbol of Nyishi manhood. It features a cane-woven base called the Podum. Crafting one takes up to five days. Historically, the crown featured the beak of the Great Indian Hornbill. To protect the species, the community shifted to wood and fiberglass replicas in the late 1990s. Artisans now use Muscovy duck feathers for the crest and synthetic hair for the topknot. These crowns sell for Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. People wear them during the Nyokum Festival and marriage ceremonies.
Comments