This oval helmet made out of cane from the Abor tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is an excellent specimen of traditional tribal craft of using natural materials. Held together with woven cane strips, this helmet manifests the shift of design from functionality to cultural identity. It was mainly for protection during a hunting trip or in tribal wars.
In construction, the very durability is characteristic of the helmet, especially with the embankment, which is further strengthened by a broad cane strip tightly bound with minute cane strands. Therefore, this binding not only armors the rim but also increases the lifespan of the helmet, making it serviceable yet lightweight—characteristics sought-after in the hilly terrains of Northeast India. The tightness of the weaves is really an expression of how much the tribe understands its natural materials and their multipurpose. Helmets like these are symbols of alertness, bravery, and warrior spirit in the community.