The 25th edition of the iconic Hornbill Festival, a 10-day celebration of the region’s rich and diverse culture, is set to begin on Sunday at the picturesque Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.
Organized by the Nagaland Tourism, Art, and Culture Department, the festival will this year feature Japan as the country partner. The Hornbill Festival, named after the majestic hornbill bird that holds significant cultural importance among the Naga tribes, will showcase a unique cultural exchange between Japan and Nagaland.
Veyielo Doulo, Director of Nagaland Tourism, stated that Japan would participate in various sectors, including cultural performances, capacity-building workshops, and showcasing handicrafts and bamboo products through Japanese resource persons, master craftsmen, and world-renowned musicians.
“Last year, the festival attracted 1.54 lakh visitors, including many foreign tourists. This year, we expect the number of tourists, both domestic and foreign, to double,” Doulo told IANS.
The Hornbill Festival offers a unique platform for visitors to experience not only the cultural diversity of Nagaland but also that of other northeastern states, through a blend of adventure, sports, art, handicrafts, fashion, music, literature, and more.
Known as the ‘Festival of Festivals,’ this grand event showcases Nagaland’s rich traditions and heritage and brings together the state’s diverse tribes in a vibrant symphony of colors, sounds, and dances.
Since its inception in December 2000, the festival has been held at the Kisama Heritage Village, located 12 km from the capital city, Kohima. Over the years, the festival has grown in stature to become one of India’s premier cultural events.
All 17 of Nagaland’s recognized tribes participate in the festival, each showcasing their unique customs, attire, and traditions. With a population of around two million, 86.5% of whom are tribals, Nagaland boasts a rich cultural heritage, with each tribe having its own festivals.
Visitors to the festival can enjoy traditional dances, music performances, indigenous games, craft exhibitions, and more, providing a window into the life and culture of the Naga people.
Last year, the US, Germany, and Colombia were the country partners, while Assam was the partner state.
The festival offers tourists a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the Naga people, their land, and their rich customs.
Highlights of this year’s silver jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival include daily performances by around two dozen cultural troupes, sales of local products, handloom and handicrafts, artworks, horticulture displays, the traditional stone-pulling ceremony, a film festival, photo exhibition, heritage walk, kids’ carnival, international Hornbill Naga Wrestling, and an indigenous games and sports festival.
Other key attractions include local cuisine, a food festival, Naga King chili and pineapple eating competitions, a World War II rally, adventure outdoor activities, mountain biking, Dzukou Valley Day hikes, a Bamboo Carnival, and a Night Carnival.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who inaugurated several new facilities at Kisama village ahead of the festival, emphasized that the Hornbill Festival has evolved into an international event, attracting tourists from around the world. He expressed confidence that the new facilities would enhance the festival experience for visitors.