Naga tribes showcase their folk artistry on day-three of Hornbill

Our Correspondent
Kisama, Dec. 3 (EMN): Colourful dance performances and various depictive activities marked the third day of the ongoing 20th Hornbill Festival on Tuesday at the symbolic Naga village Kisama in Kohima. 17 cultural troupes each gave a musical or dance performance, or played games during the event.

The 2019 edition of the festival is being celebrated with ‘cultural connect’ as the theme. The special guest for day-three was Padma Bhusam and Grammy winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.

In the morning’s cultural event, the hosts were Jacob Zhimomi, minister of Public Health Engineering, and Mmhonlumo Kikon, advisor for IT, Science and Technology, and New and Renewable Energy. The advisor for CAWD and NSDMA Kazheto Kinimi was the host for the afternoon session.

It was the Zeliang cultural troupe who kicked off the day’s performance with a dance called ‘Herie Lim’ or Hornbill dance in tribute to the bird. The Kuki cultural troupe performed ‘Savailhun’ or ‘song and dance,’ a performance to acknowledge the hunter’s valour and feats. Also, the Yimchungrü cultural troupe demonstrated ‘Sangküsükadi,’ an indigenous archery test to identify the best marksman.

The Sangtam cultural troupe performed a war dance called ‘Rothsa Nyichi,’ a dance performance depicting warriors getting ready for battle. The cultural troupe from the Sumi community performed ‘Helo he,’ a folk song to encourage cultural values.

Further, the Rengma cultural troupe performed the ‘Ngada dance,’ a dance performed on the fifth day of the Ngada festival. The Kachari tribe then performed a ritual called ‘Baad bheta puja,’ a religious practice of the Mech Kachari.

Likewise, the Pochury tribe performed ‘Atutu kukhu’ or trumpet blowing, which is traditionally blown on three occasions. The Chakhesang cultural troupe then presented ‘Thuno kuhuo lizo,’ a folk song sung by men dedicated to women who weave cloth. They express love and admiration for their hard work in producing the beautiful apparel.

In the afternoon session, which starts at 1 pm, the Ao cultural troupe performed a Hornbill-themed dance called ‘Tenem Jilu.’ The Phom cultural troupe then performed ‘Nok-Phat dance,’ a dance performed by warriors to recount past events of war, peace, defeat and victory.

Again, a traditional game called ‘Vee Kok’ was played by the Konyak cultural troupe. A dance of happiness or ‘Ematha Shari’ was then performed by the Lotha cultural troupe.

Further, the Khiamniungan cultural troupe demonstrated the traditional way of weaving bags and shawls using thread obtained from the ‘Eh- Kik,’ or the stinging Nettle plant. The Garo cultural troupe performed the ‘Wangala’ dance. This dance is performed during the Wangala festival, which is a post-harvest thanksgiving festival.

Further, the Chang cultural troupe performed ‘Lakoula Haupu,’ an enactment of raiding an enemy village. A folk song “Howe,” was performed by the Angami cultural troupe. It is sung to depict comparisons in wealth, status and habits among groups.

The government publicity agency the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) gave on Tuesday highlights of the festival.

A traditional touch
As part of the Hornbill Festival, members of the North East Traditional Healer’s Association have set up a stall ‘A Traditional Healing Touch’ at Kisama to promote folk art, knowledge, and culture and community health. The association aims to revitalise the art of traditional knowledge of community health care services and to conserve flora and fauna to empower the livelihood of traditional healers.

The services include massage, bone setting, birth attending, jaundice, and treatment for common ailments and even for poisonous bites, among others. Besides medicines made of medicinal plants are available for different diseases, the IPR stated.

Children’s dance fiesta

The ‘Kids Dance Fiesta’ was conducted on December 3 at the Children’s Park in Kisama. Altogether eight children participated in the competition. Charlie emerged the winner and Eniza was placed the runner-up. Lamgrace and Chubainla Jamir were the judges at the competition.

Essay competition

Synergy Group Enterprise with the support of the department of Tourism organised an essay writing competition on the topic ‘Kohima Smart City’ and ‘plastic free Nagaland’ on the second day of the festival at Kisama. Eight students participated in the competition.

The winner of group B, students in the classes 4-6) was Dezevino Zashimo from St. Paul School. The first runner up was Meguno Zashimo, also from St. Paul school. The first prize winner was awarded a cash prize of INR 5000 and a certificate while the second prize winner received a cash price of INR 3000 along with a certificate.

The winner of group C, students in the classes 7-9, was Angel Raikhan from Mount Hermon higher secondary school while the runner-up was Viphrezo Vüprü from Mezhur higher secondary school. The first prize winner was given a cash prize of INR 4000 along with a certificate, while the runner-up was given a cash prize of INR 2000 along with a certificate. Rita Krocha and Dr. Esther Krocha were the judges of the event, the updates stated.

Flower show
Winners of an exhibition of flowers, vegetables and spices were declared and prizes were handed out to them at the Floral Galleria of the Hortiscape at Kisama on the third day of the Hornbill Festival, the IPR informed further.

The winners of the various categories of flowers and plant competitions were first prize winner Akocie, second placed Asheli Zhimo, and third prize winners Therovizo and Azai in the ferns and foliage category; first prize winner Nyiepou Ki, second prize winner Huve and third prize winner Nini Ekhe in the cacti and succulents category; first prise winner Njusha Chung, second placed Kevi Pienyu, and third prize winner Kehosale in the indigenous foliage and flowers category; first prize winner Azeno and second prize winner Mezhükhonuo Kulnu in the bulbs and tubers category; first prize winner Azeno, second placed Temsuyangla Pongen, and third prize winner Anei Chuse in the hybrid orchids category; first prize winner Abeni Kapfo, second prize winner, also, Abeni Kapfo, and third prize winner Vilakhono in the bonsai category; first prize winner Kozono, second placed Nisa, and third prize winners Khrienuo Solo, Nisa, Nourhevinuo Khezhie and Nenya Kath Liezietsu in the perennial plants category; first prize winner Tiarenla Mozhui, second prize winner Doshila and third prize winner Athoü in the annuals and biennials category; first prize winner Yatetinla Ao, second placed Pekruvinuo Pienyü and third prize winner Vilerei in the fresh flower arrangements category.

Fire making

Traditional fire making was one of the entertainment highlights on the third day of the festival at Kisama. Eleven participants from the tribes of Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Garo, Kachari, Lotha, Phom, Rengma, Sumi, and Zeliang participated in the fire making competition. The participants used dried wood, finely stripped bamboo, dried twigs and leaves to make fire.

Out of eleven participants, Pashang from the Chang tribe was declared the winner, while Choyoto from the Chakhesang tribe and Hokiye Aye of the Sumi tribe were declared the first and second runners up winners, in that order. The three winners received prize money of INR 7000, INR 5000, and INR 3000 in that order. The other participants were awarded consolation prizes, the IPR stated.