Hornbill festival, Nagaland

Our Nation INDIA          is rich in Culture and diversity.  We celebrate so many festivals across the Nation – this is on ‘Hornbill Festival’ ! 

Hornbill Festival is an annual festival celebrated from 1 to 10 of December in the Northeastern Indian state of Nagaland.  The festival represents all ethnic groups of Nagaland for which it is also called the Festival of Festivals. Interestingly the festival is named after a bird ‘the hornbill’ !!

 

Hornbills are large and brightly colourful forest birds, displayed in the folklore of most of the state's ethnic groups.  They are  found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia of the family Bucerotidae. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly coloured and sometimes has a horny casque on the upper mandible. Hornbills have a two-lobed kidney. They are the only birds in which the first and second neck vertebrae (the atlas and axis respectively) are fused together; this probably provides a more stable platform for carrying the bill.  The family is omnivorous, feeding on fruit and small animals. They are monogamous breeders nesting in natural cavities in trees and sometimes cliffs. 

                       The state of Nagaland is home to several ethnic groups, which have their own distinct festivals. More than 60% of the population of Nagaland depends on agriculture and therefore most of their festivals revolve around agriculture. The Nagas consider their festivals sacred  -  to encourage inter-ethnic interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. Organised by the Department of State Tourism and Department of Art & Culture, the Hornbill Festival showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof. This festival usually takes   mainly in Kohima District. 

The main venue of the Hornbill Festival is held at the Kisama Heritage Village located in the Southern Angami region of Kohima District which is about 12 km from Kohima. All the ethnic groups of Nagaland take part in this festival. The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions. For visitors it means a closer understanding of the people and culture of Nagaland, and an opportunity to experience the food, songs, dances and customs of Nagaland.  People enjoy  colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies. Traditional arts which include paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures are also on display. Festival highlights include the traditional Naga Morungs exhibition and the sale of arts and crafts, food stalls, herbal medicine stalls, flower shows and sales, cultural medley - songs and dances, fashion shows, the Miss Nagaland beauty contest, traditional archery, Naga wrestling, indigenous games and musical concerts.  

The Hornbill Festival has contributed significantly to enhancing the state's tourism brand.  Pictured here is - Temjen Imna Along, Nagaland’s Minister of Tourism and Higher Education.  Temjen is the State President of   Bharatiya Janata Party , representing assembly from Alongtaki constituency. He is  the Minister of Tourism and Higher Education in the Fifth Neiphiu Rio ministry. He is very active in social media and also very popular due to his sense of humour. He also posts about his state and promotes the culture of Nagaland.

 
Interesting !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
22.11.2024