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As Nagaland gears up to celebrate and host the 25th edition of Hornbill Festival, meticulous preparations are underway at Naga Heritage Village at Kisama—the centre stage of the festival events. Kisama Heritage Village is 12 km away from the state capital Kohima.
It was reported that the master plan to revamp and renovate the heritage village had already been set into motion and all renovation works likely to be completed by mid-November.
Popularly promoted as the ‘Festivals of Festivals,’ the Hornbill Festival, organised by the departments of Tourism and Art and Culture, is held annually in the first week of December.
The Hornbill Festival officially began in 2000 as a moderate three-day event and has since evolved into a 10-day major tourism event, providing a platform for tribal interaction and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland.
This year, Wales is the partner country for the Hornbill Festival. Representatives from the Welsh government, the British Council, and the Wales Arts International met with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the British Council office in Cardiff on September 30 and signed the partnership agreement.
Cultural performance:Naga tribes of Nagaland and other indigenous communities in the state perform their respective traditional dances, music and songs.
Naga morung exhibition:Naga morungs are traditional huts that functioned as youth dormitories back in the day. The festival features replicas of these morungs of the different tribes.
Indigenous games:Variety of games and competitive events like Naga king chilli eating competition, oiled-bamboo climbing, stone pulling competition, Naga wrestling, spear kicking, etc.
Hornbill Music Festival:The curtain raiser to the 25th edition of Hornbill Music Festival ‘Ticket to Hornbill—India’s Biggest Band Battle 2024’ was held on October 21, with the band Fifth Note from Nagaland winning the title and prize money of INR 20 lakh.
Art and craft exhibitions:The festival provides a platform for the local artisans to showcase their handloom products from bamboo crafts to tribal jewellery, art pieces and more.
Hornbill esports championship:To commemorate the 25th anniversary, the department of Youth Resources and Sports has launched the first ever Hornbill esports championship, to promote skill development among youth, advance technology and innovation, while encouraging youth engagement.
Culinary delicacies:The festival takes one on a culinary journey with food stalls offering traditional Naga cuisines and delicacies. Local dishes like smoked meat, bamboo shoot curries, etc., are some rarely-found-outside-the-region delicacies which the visitors can indulge in.
Heritage walks and village tours:Visitors can take part in guided tours to nearby villages like the Khonoma Green Village and historic heritage sites like WWII Kohima Cemetery in Kohima. These explorations complement the festival’s motive and give deeper understanding of Naga culture.
Night bazaar:Another popular attraction is the night bazaar, held in the heart of Kohima city, which comes alive with food stalls, craft vendors and live music, offering a festive atmosphere that continues well into late evening.
The Hornbill Festival Nagaland edition goes beyond and deeper than just a celebration. The festival offers an enriching experience from the vibrant cultural exposures to the traditional food and the warmth of the Naga people.
Domestic tourists are required to apply for Inner Line Permit (ILP) on the Nagaland government website prior to entry in the state.
Foreign tourists can enter Nagaland freely (without any permits); however, they need to register with the Foreigner’s Registration Officer (FRO) of the district they visit or the nearest police station within 24 hours of their arrival.
Visitors from outside the state can take options of airline/train/private vehicles.
