This is a Naga shield by the Konyak subtribe. It's a war dance shiedl. Cm 40x80 cm ca. Datable to the first quarter of the 20th century. This Konyak shield is made of buffalo (mithun) hide and decorated in white paint, the shield is held by a rattan strap in the back center. The only defensive weapon carried by Konyak warriors were shields made either of buffalo hide, or of bamboo matting, stretched over a bamboo frame. The former were used in battle as well as at dances, but those made of bamboo were used mainly as dance shields and very occasionally in tiger hunting." "Naga shields were surrounded by numerous rituals and taboos. Particularly during the manufacture of a shield, purity had to be maintained and food restrictions observed. Shields with rough surfaces or bamboo nodes were said to invite death to the user and his family; thus all shields had to be inspected by the village shaman." "In their war dances the Naga warriors are armed with these weapons and a shield of buffalo-hide, wicker-work, or of bamboo, covered with tiger, bear, or other skin, large enough to cover the whole person. They advance in extended order, making admirable light infantry practice, for nothing can be seen but the black shields creeping along the ground. When sufficiently near to their imaginary enemy, they spring out and fling the spear; this is supposed to take effect; a tuft of grass represents the head of the dead foe; they seize it with the left hand, cut it out with the battle-axe, and retreat with the cold hanging by the grass over their shoulder as the skull or scalp."