Coiled Cane Hats of Arunachal Pradesh

Wearing headgears to protect head has been an ancient tradition lending a distinct identity to all the different tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The tribes of Nagaland also have a variety of ceremonial headgear and body adornments made in cane, bamboo and brass which are decorated with bead, horn and ivory.

Balup, the hat used by the tribe Api Gallong is coiled lengths of cane arranged in a semi-elliptical bowl with a boat shaped rim. Flat splits of cane are wrapped around the core, consisting of whole cane, in such a manner that it links one row with the previously made row. The hat is strong enough to tolerate a stroke of dao/ a wide bladed knife. Like a skullcap, the Apa Tani cap fits easily where the back ends in a tail-like structure and is ornamented with a hornbill beak which is dyed in red and is shaped by coiling, from top onwards while the last coil is held in place by a neatly knotted stitch.