This customary Henchong comb, also known as a comb especially made by the Khonds Tribe-a tribal indigenous community of the eastern Indian state of Odisha, shows an interesting functionality along with its artistry and ethnic identity. The comb has six very fine pointed teeth carved and fixed in a plain broad rectangular box-like form, which serves the purpose of base and handle. The entire comb is made from wood or bamboo, which is locally available and is found to be part of every such daily usage tool or accessory of these Khond people. The teeth are evenly distributed and taper at the ends, making the application highly user-friendly, designed for the easy gliding through those of the females who possess slightly dense or coarse hair.
In addition, use for hair dressing, it also serves some cultural purpose, especially among tribal women, who usually wear traditional hair dressing during various festivals and community gatherings. The Khonds make such homemade items for their daily grooming as well as for ritualistic purposes, as they live basically in hilly and forested regions of Odisha. Such objects are not only functional but also part of indigenous knowledge systems, their esthetic sensibility, as well as sustainable living practices in tribal life. The making of Henchong is, in fact, a true example of application of eco-friendly material culture of a tribe. It is purely biodegradable and does not involve the use of modern tools in its making.