Hornbill Festival showcases vibrant Naga culture on Day 3

Correspondent
KISAMA, DECEMBER 3

PRESENTING to the visitors glimpses into the rich cultural songs, dances and traditions of the tribes of Nagaland, cultural troupes from all parts of Nagaland representing different tribes staged vibrant performances on the third day of the ongoing Hornbill Festival 2013 at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama today. The cultural event was graced by the Consul General of France, Kolkata, Fabrice Etienne as the guest of honour.The performance of the Konyak Angphang dancing group demonstrating ‘Yea Onghin Leepii’, the tactics of head hunting and how the status of a warrior was earned in the olden days, enthralled the visitors.
Cultural troupes of the day were Western Angami cultural troupe, Longsalong cultural club from Mokochung, Garo cultural society Dimapur, Noksen village cultural society, Phusachodu village cultural troupe, Pathso village cultural club, Angphang dancing group from Mon and Kuki cultural troupe from Bungsang performed in the morning session.
In the afternoon programme, Longidang youth cultural troupe, Nanglang cultural group society, Lephori village cultural troupe, Tesophenyu cultural group, Samgsomong village Yangtsung cultural club, Surumi cultural troupe, Kuiutantso cultural club, Huker village and New Jalukie cultural club performed. Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, AM Sapre and Judge Gauhati High Court, AK Goswami graced the afternoon session of the cultural extravaganza.
Greased pole climbing was the main highlight of the Naga indigenous games category, where 15 young men representing a different Naga tribe each attempted to climb 20 feet long bamboo poles greased with pork fat to grab a piece of coloured paper placed on top of the poles. None of the participants could go higher than a couple of foot in the first round of the entertaining traditional festive game and the officials had to relax the rules in the following rounds. Ahoshi from Yimchunger tribe won the competition and walked away Rs.15,000 richer. Binon Mech from Kachari tribe and H. Eshah from Konyak tribe came second and third and received cash prizes of Rs.10,000 and Rs.5,000 respectively.