The iconic dao of Arunachal Pradesh — a hand-forged traditional blade crafted by indigenous tribal communities — has officially been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The recognition honours the region’s deep-rooted blacksmithing heritage and safeguards the cultural identity behind generations of skilled craftsmanship.
The GI status reinforces the dao’s authenticity, ensuring protection for traditional forging techniques and strengthening the visibility of tribal artisans on national and global platforms. Authorities expect the certification to boost income opportunities for rural blacksmithing clusters through better branding, training support, and market access.
Arunachal Pradesh’s list of GI-tagged products continues to grow, with the dao joining the ranks of well-known regional specialties such as Wakro Orange, Idu Mishmi textiles, Khamti rice, Yak churpi, and Wancho wooden craft. The recognition not only preserves cultural heritage but also empowers artisan communities through sustainable economic development.
