25th Hornbill Festival Kicks Off in Nagaland with Traditional Ceremony
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Kohima, Dec 1 (NationPress) Celebrating the rich and vibrant traditions, customs, and cultural diversity of Nagaland, the 25th iteration of the Hornbill Festival commenced at the beautiful Naga heritage village of Kisama on Sunday evening.
With the rhythm of Naga gongs, the beat of log drums, and the echo of traditional war cries, this annual festival, named after the striking hornbill bird, started alongside the observance of the 62nd Nagaland Statehood Day.
This year’s festival will feature a collaborative cultural showcase with partners from Japan, the USA, the United Kingdom (Wales), Peru, and Bulgaria, while Sikkim and Telangana will represent as partner states.
Notable figures such as Padma Bhushan, Grammy, and Oscar-winning composer A. R. Rahman, along with representatives from numerous countries, graced the inaugural event.
According to Nagaland’s Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along, “This festival has transformed into a platform where we not only appreciate and curate our unique culture and traditions, but it has also become a hub for networking among people.”
Organized by Nagaland’s Tourism and Art and Culture departments, the Hornbill Festival exhibits the northeastern state's deeply embedded traditions and its rich cultural heritage, showcasing its ethnicity, diversity, and grandeur.
The festival also pays homage to the revered hornbill, a bird that symbolizes alertness and magnificence for the Naga community.
For the thousands of local and international visitors, it serves as a gateway to understand the Naga people, their land, and their vibrant culture.
Nagaland’s Governor La. Ganesan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio were the chief host and host of the festival, respectively.
Nagaland Tourism Director Veyielo Doulo mentioned that last year, the festival attracted approximately 154,000 attendees, including a significant number of international visitors, and they anticipate this year’s turnout to double.
He emphasized that the festival provides a unique opportunity for attendees to experience the Naga cultural diversity all in one place, alongside the cultures of other northeastern states, promoting cultural exchange through adventure, sports, arts, handicrafts, fashion, music, literature, and more.
Known as the ‘Festival of Festivals’, this grand celebration not only highlights Nagaland’s rich traditions and heritage but also unites the various tribes of the state in a vibrant display of colors, sounds, and dances.
Since its inception in December 1999, the Hornbill Festival has been hosted at Kisama Heritage Village, located 12 km from Kohima, the state capital.
Over the years, the festival has risen in prominence to become one of India’s top cultural events.
Every recognized tribe from Nagaland participates, showcasing their distinct customs, attire, and traditions.
With a population of two million (where tribals make up 86.5 percent), Nagaland is home to 17 tribes, each with its own celebrations.
Visitors can enjoy traditional dances, musical performances, indigenous sports, and craft exhibitions that provide insight into the Naga way of life and culture.
Key highlights of the silver jubilee edition of the iconic 10-day Hornbill Festival include daily performances from around two dozen cultural troupes, local product sales, handloom and handicraft displays, traditional stone-pulling ceremonies, film festivals, photo exhibitions, heritage walks, a kids’ carnival, International Hornbill Naga Wrestling, and an indigenous games and sports festival.
Additional attractions include local cuisine, food festivals, Naga King Chilly and pineapple eating contests, a World War II rally, outdoor adventure activities, mountain biking, Dzukou Valley Day Hikes, a Bamboo Carnival, and a Night Carnival.
