A variety of cultural performances, including songs and dances of various tribes, marked the 25th edition of the 10-day Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, which began on December 1 amid much fanfare. The annual festival, which is designed to promote, preserve, and showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage, took off after the 62nd Nagaland statehood day celebration in Kohima.
The current edition of the festival showcased a collaborative cultural experience with the United States of America, United Kingdom (Wales), Japan, and Peru as country partners while Sikkim and Telangana as partner states.
The Hornbill Festival also marks the culmination of the different Naga tribal festivals held around the agricultural calendar. It promotes the diverse Naga ethnicity and brand Nagaland through traditional art, food, dances, music, tribal rituals, and Indigenous games and crafts highlighting Naga textiles and designs among various other Naga experiences.
The festival attracts tourists from across India and abroad. In 2023, the state tourism department recorded 1.5 lakh footfall at the main festival site - the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, which is 12km from Kohima.
Traditional dances and colorful displays showcasing the rich heritage of India’s Northeastern states took centerstage, leaving attendees enthralled. (Photos courtesy: X@Utsav_Tourism)
.jpg)
One can witness the diverse tribes and their kaleidoscope of cultures, traditions, and unity during the festival. (Photos courtesy: X@incredibleindia)
Peruvian artists joined in the celebrations at Nagaland. Peru participated as a Country Partner in the 25th edition of the prestigious festival. (Photo courtesy: X@EmbaPeruIndia)
Celebrating “The Heritage Basket” at Nagaland's Chiechama village. It implies protecting, preserving, promoting, and passing on traditional values to the next generation. (Photo courtesy: X@LhouviPunyu1)
