The Iron Arrow Chang is an uncommon traditional weapon of the Chang Naga Tribe, one among the major Naga tribes inhabiting the northeastern tipping point of India, particularly in the Tuensang district of Nagaland. This is a weapon consisting of two short arrows with iron heads that are extraordinarily designed for hunting. The arrowhead is perfectly made, with the hollow posterior fitting snugly on to the wooden shaft. The barbs of the iron head are exceptionally fine: they are double-barbed at the base so that, once the arrow hits the target, it nails itself firmly into it, thus being effectively used against hunting for small wild animals and birds.
The very design of the double barb is to minimize any chances of the prey escaping after being hit, showing the tribe's keen understanding of the dynamics of hunting and the art of weapon-making. Hunting has traditionally been so significant to the life of the Chang Naga that it was regarded as a source of income, a demonstration of prowess, and an honor. The Iron Arrow Chang is a perfect amalgamation of use and a matter of culture. Such tools are passed on for generations, and their designs speak of a highly developed understanding of local ecology and metallurgy. Modern tools have displaced traditional ones in almost all spheres of usage, and yet artifacts like the Iron Arrow Chang are instrumental in understanding the ethnography and culture of the Chang Naga Tribe.