Naga Chaang of Nagaland, India, has a noble warrior tradition; it possesses very unique types of weapons, particularly the dao. The dao is known as the machete of the culture. One such prime example of the dao of the Chang Naga tribe is at the Indian Museum in Kolkata. The dao has a heavy iron blade, slightly triangular in shape, with a sharp and subtle curve on the cutting edge and a slightly concave upper side. A ridge near the edge on the one side adds to the strength of the blade. The blade has been firmly held into a long flat bamboo handle, wrapped at the upper part with cane for a better grip. The end of the handle is unique in that it has three rows of holes made for decoration either to give credibility by animal hair or the tribal artistry.

In Chang Naga society, the dao finds multiple uses: for everything from planting rice to hunting and, when really necessary, in warfare. Cane-wrapped handles embellished with animal hair not only enhance its functionality but also symbolize the wielder's status and cultural identity. The craftsmanship of the dao bears witness to the genius and artistry of the Chang Naga, who had abundant access to local materials: iron, bamboo and cane.

These artifacts, preserved in the museum, give a glimpse into the extensive culture and traditions of the Chang Naga tribe. Underlining the important role that the dao plays in their daily life and ritual performances.