Ahangküha is a traditional headgear of the Khiamniungans in Nagaland. It is only worn during folkdancing of the regular annual tribal and village festivals.
History In the olden days such conical hats, leggings (Hokthie), gauntlet etc. were made by the Khiamniungans and traded with other neighbouring communities.
Craft
The frame of the hat is fine cane usually in red colour with red goats' hair and hornbill feathers on top frequently with a chain of tigers' claws that hangs around the chin. Some are decorated with double transparent flat horns on both sides. These are made from mithan's horn.
Significance Traditional headgear may incorporate more than a dozen materials, some of which carry symbolic or historical significance. These can include tiger claws, wild boar teeth, hornbill feathers, wild goat hair and bear hair, which have been associated with wealth, bravery and victory. Because some of these materials have become difficult to obtain, synthetic substitutes are now sometimes used.
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