National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy

Title : Naga Bamboo Cap

Accession No : 86/6999

Traditional Naga Cane Cap, knitted decorated with red cane patching, two horn pieces and artificial hair band.

Socio economicThis Naga cane hat has a fine patina and clear age. It is of conical form and comprises a woven un-dyed cane base over which is fixed a mat of thin, red-dyed cane interspersed with the dried yellow skin of the orchid plant to create geometric patterns. The Naga people comprise a range of related tribes that inhabit the north-eastern India and north-western Burma. The form and relative lack of decoration of this hat suggests it is from the Kalyo-Kengyu Naga of western Burma.
ArtisticIn Nagaland Bamboo and cane can be found everywhere in traditional homes. The woven craft further penetrates into the realm of architecture and public engineering—in bridges and fencing bamboo and cane are major ingredients along with timber—which traditionally employs basic woven craft skills albeit on a larger scale. It was actually the weaving of bamboo splits or flattened bamboo culms that found application in various ways, causing this unique extension of the craft form.

DescriptionTraditional Naga Cane Cap, knitted decorated with red cane patching, two horn pieces and artificial hair band.
Inscription/Markings No
Reference"Aditi Ranjan, M P Ranjan (2005). Crafts of India, Handmade in India, National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad: Mapin Pub. ISBN 81-88204-57-9. https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/object/naga-cane-hat/ https://www.sahapedia.org/bamboo-and-cane-basketry-traditions-of-nagaland-0"
KeywordTribal, Traditional, Cap, Hair, Headgear, Hat