Nagaland: Festivals
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Hornbill Festival
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The Morung Express, December 2, 2016
The Hornbill Festival began its 17th edition at Naga Heritage village, Kisama on December 2, 2016, coinciding with the Nagaland Statehood Day.
Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang while delivering the welcome address greeted the people of Nagaland on the occasion of the 53rd Statehood Day. The Chief Minister said the Naga people are determined to preserve the rich culture and tradition which he described as the hallmark of our identity. He also added that Nagaland being considered as geographically isolated from mainland would soon be a thing of the past with the coming up of Look East Policy and with Hornbill Festival being recognized internationally.
It is a collaborative celebration of all Naga Tribes at one venue and has been coined as the ‘Festival of Festivals’. The Festival is a tribute to the Hornbill, which is the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas, for its qualities of alertness and grandeur. The majestic bird is closely identified with the social and cultural life of the Nagas as reflected in various tribal folklores, dances and songs. The awe and admiration for the bird is symbolically displayed on almost all tribal traditional headgears worn during the Festivals and is indicative of the unity of the Nagas.
The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is a cultural extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage, while for the visitors to this event it is a means for a comprehensive understanding of Naga People, their land and culture. Over the years, this event has gained in stature and scale. It has now become a unique platform for the tourists to witness the cultural diversity not only of the Nagas but the seven other sister states of the North East.
