Hornbill fest: A celebration of Naga culture, tribal heritage

The 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival, a 10-day celebration of Nagaland’s vibrant culture, opened on Sunday at the heritage village of Kisama near Kohima.

The festival also coincided with the 62nd Nagaland Statehood Day. Nagaland had become the 16th state of India on December 1, 1963, following years of struggle for autonomy and recognition.

Named after the Hornbill bird — which represents alertness and strength in Naga culture — the festival symbolises the grandeur of Naga traditions. Traditional Naga rituals, including ceremonial dances, music, and war cries, paint a vivid picture of the Naga way of life for visitors.

The festival was envisioned by the Government of Nagaland to protect and preserve the region’s unique cultural heritage in an era of increasing modernisation and launched in 2000.

During its early years, the festival was a relatively modest affair, but its impact grew as it attracted more attention from both domestic and international tourists. Each year, the festival’s cultural performances have become more elaborate, featuring traditional dances, folk music and a variety of exhibitions that highlight the diversity of Naga art, crafts and cuisine.

The event also provides a platform for inter-tribal exchange, fostering a sense of unity among various Naga communities and bringing together all 17 Naga tribes.

Besides, this year’s festival is marked with international collaborations, including cultural partnerships from Japan, the US, the United Kingdom, Peru, and Bulgaria; while Sikkim and Telangana are the partner states for the festival.