Arunachal Pradesh's Traditional 'Dao' Blade Receives GI Tag Recognition: Preserving Indigenous Craftsmanship Heritage

Arunachal Pradesh has achieved 20 GI-tagged items so far. (Image posted on X by @ChownaMeinBJP)

Itanagar:

The traditional handcrafted blade known as 'dao', created by several tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh, has been awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, representing a significant achievement in preserving the state's indigenous craftsmanship heritage.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein shared this development, emphasizing that this recognition affirms the cultural and economic significance of the state's ancestral blacksmithing traditions.

"The Arunachal Pradesh dao is carefully hand-forged by master artisans utilizing techniques that have been passed down through generations," stated Mein in his Friday post on X.

Each dao embodies not only functional utility but also represents the courage, identity, and cultural resilience of the local tribes. "This acknowledgment further enhances our efforts to conserve indigenous craftsmanship and promote our cultural economy," he explained.

Mein further noted that the dao's GI certification will create new opportunities for artisans, enhance market accessibility, and help protect authentic production methods.

"It's forged in tradition, shaped by heritage, and now carries official recognition," he remarked.

"We will provide support to our artisans through training, branding, and marketing connections to ensure the value of this heritage benefits their homes and livelihoods," he added.

In recent years, Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as a key contributor from the Northeast to India's collection of GI-protected products. The state has already secured numerous GI tags across various categories including handloom, agricultural produce, and traditional crafts.

Products such as Wakro Orange, Idu Mishmi textiles, Khamti rice, Yak churpi, and Wancho wooden craft are among the notable items that showcase the region's cultural richness and geographic uniqueness.

Officials indicate that additional applications are in progress as the state seeks to expand economic opportunities rooted in traditional knowledge systems.

With the 'dao' now included in the growing list of recognized heritage products, the government anticipates that blacksmithing clusters and tribal artisan groups will gain greater visibility, strengthened identity, and improved livelihood opportunities through authentic GI-certified branding.

The GI recognition of the Arunachal 'dao' contributes to a growing collection of protected products from Arunachal Pradesh. According to recent reports, the state has secured 20 GI-tagged items to date, with officials targeting a goal of 50 by 2030.