Hornbill Festival enters Day-4; cultural extravaganza continues

Our Correspondent
Kisama, Dec. 4 (EMN): The ongoing 23rd edition of Hornbill Festival entered day-4 on Sunday at Naga Heritage Village in Kisama with cultural displays by the various troupes.

G Ramesh, executive director and state head, Indian Oil Corporation, Guwahati attended the morning session as chief guest with Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Sharingain Longkumer, as host; Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor for Horticulture and Border Affairs as co-host.

Later in the afternoon session, Minister of PWD (Housing and Mechanical) Tongpang Ozukum was the host of the programme.

During the morning session, the Ao cultural troupe performed the ‘Nokinketer Yar’, a warrior’s dance; followed by Ben Kesi, a folk song performed on festive occasions and successful head hunting raids. The Kuki cultural troupe performed Savailhun, a depiction of bountiful hunting by a sole hunter which was accorded a grand reception.

The Angami cultural troupe from Viswema village performed a song, which is sung during crushing of dry soil with wooden hoe after ploughing fields. This was followed by Middle Khomi, representing the Chakhesang tribe, who presented a folk song titled ‘Nohüli’ and the Lotha troupe performed Serulo, a dance of joy.

The Zeliang troupe (Kohima) performed a Skylark dance (Roina) while the Sumi troupe (Dimapur) performed spear head kicking.

Later in the afternoon session, the Zeliang cultural troupe performed Temangna Lim (Swift Bird Dance), Pochury cultural troupe presented ‘Ooyi Kwhi’, a folk song expressing admiration for the buzzing and squawking sound of the summer insect cicada, followed by Kachari cultural troupe performing an indigenous game, ‘Rimin Nelaiyaba,’ using a pole to push and knock each other.

The Sumi cultural troupe performed Aghe Kishi, an enactment of challenging the enemy during head hunting days, while the Garo cultural troupe presented the Rugala Rugala dance; the Lotha troupe (Kohima) presented Otchu Emhayialo (song and dance), the Rengma troupe (Kohima) performed the Ngada folk dance and the Angami troupe (Kohima) performed a folk song.