Arunachal Pradesh’s centuries-old blade-making tradition has received a significant boost with the state’s iconic ‘dao’ earning the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, a move officials say will strengthen both cultural preservation and the livelihoods of tribal artisans.
The ‘dao’, a handcrafted multipurpose blade integral to the daily life, rituals and identity of several indigenous communities, has long symbolised the distinct metallurgical heritage of Arunachal Pradesh. The blade varies in form and utility across tribes such as the Adi, Nyishi, Wancho, Mishmi and Khamti, each maintaining a specific design lineage and forging technique.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein announced the achievement on Friday, describing it as a milestone for a state whose blacksmithing traditions have endured for generations despite rapid modernisation.
“The Arunachal Pradesh dao is meticulously hand-forged by master artisans using techniques passed down over generations,” Mein wrote on X.
He added that each blade “embodies functional utility as well as the courage, identity and cultural endurance of our tribes,” noting that “this recognition further strengthens our efforts to preserve indigenous craftsmanship and promote our cultural economy.”
Officials said the GI tag would provide artisans with greater market access, formal recognition of their traditions and better protection against imitation products entering commercial markets. Mein emphasised that the state government would back the initiative with skill training, branding support, and marketing linkages to ensure the benefits “reach their homes and livelihoods”.
Also read: Tripura’s traditional indigenous attire ‘risa’ gets GI tag
“It’s forged in tradition, shaped by heritage, and now it carries official recognition,” Mein said, underlining the symbolic and economic value of the certification.
Arunachal Pradesh has in recent years positioned itself as one of the Northeast’s most active contributors to India’s pool of GI-protected products. Several traditional items, including Wakro Orange, Idu Mishmi textiles, Khamti rice, Yak churpi and Wancho wooden craft, already form part of its expanding catalogue of recognised heritage goods.
The state currently has around 20 GI-certified items and has set a target of securing 50 such recognitions by 2030. Applications for multiple handloom, agricultural and artisanal products are presently under review.
Officials believe the inclusion of the ‘dao’ will elevate the profile of blacksmithing clusters and tribal artisan groups, giving them stronger visibility and cultural legitimacy while improving earning potential through authentic branding. With the GI tag in place, they say, the blade’s craftsmanship, shaped by local geography, tribal identity and centuries of inherited skill, now stands on a firmer national and international platform.
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