Hornbill Festival

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Hornbill Festival
HornbillFest2014logo.png
2014 edition logo
Begins1 December 2024 (2024-12-01)
Ends10 December 2024 (2024-12-10)
FrequencyAnnually
Venue Kisama Heritage Village, Kohima district, Nagaland, India
Inaugurated1 December 2000;24 years ago (2000-12-01)
Previous event2024
Next event2025
Patron(s) Government of Nagaland
Website hornbillfestival.com

Hornbill Festival is an annual festival celebrated from 1 to 10 of December in the Northeastern Indian state of Nagaland. [1] The festival represents all ethnic groups of Nagaland for which it is also called the Festival of Festivals.

Contents

Etymology

Hornbill Greater Indian Hornbill.jpg
Hornbill

The festival is named after the hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird which is displayed in the folklore of most of the state's ethnic groups.

Hornbill Festival, Nagaland dance Hornbill Festival ,Nagaland.jpg
Hornbill Festival, Nagaland dance

Background

Hornbill Festival, Nagaland Hornbill Festival,Nagaland 2.jpg
Hornbill Festival, Nagaland
Kachari women celebrating the Hornbill Festival Hornbil Festival, Kohima 6.jpg
Kachari women celebrating the Hornbill Festival

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, so participation in these festivals is essential. [2]

To encourage inter-ethnic interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organises the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. The first festival was held in December 2000. [3]

Celebrations

Naga tribesmen at Kisama during the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland. Hornbill festival of nagaland.jpg
Naga tribesmen at Kisama during the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland.

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 place between 1 and 10 December every year mainly in Kohima District. [3]

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. [1]

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. [4]

Night view of Hornbill Festival Hornbill Festival,Nagaland.jpg
Night view of Hornbill Festival

Festival activities

The week-long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies. Traditional arts which include paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures are also on display. [5]

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. [1]

The Hornbill Festival provides a colourful mixture of dances, performances, crafts, parades, games, sports, food fairs and religious ceremonies. The festival both exposes the culture and tradition of ethnic peoples, and reinforces Nagaland’s identity as a unique state in India’s federal union. Experts have commented that A lot of older folk in the villages travel to Kohima to attend this festival and meet people from other villages from Nagaland because they haven’t met before, hence leading to cultural assimilation. [6]

Traditional arts are also featured, with paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures by modern Naga artists on display. Naga troupes sing folk songs, perform traditional dances and play indigenous games and sports. In the evenings a programme of music concerts, catering for all tastes, ensures that the festive spirit continues through the night. [1] One of the major highlights of this festival is the Hornbill International Rock Festival, which is held at Indira Gandhi Stadium; local and international rock bands perform. [7]

Economic potential

The Hornbill Festival has contributed significantly to enhancing the state's tourism brand. Tourism promoters believe that the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland allows tourists to have an insight into the different ethnic groups of Nagaland. [6] It fosters understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the state, its resourceful architecture and its ethnic cuisine. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagaland</span> State in northeastern India

Nagaland is a state in the north-eastern region of India. It is bordered by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, Manipur to the south, and the Naga Self-Administered Zone of the Sagaing Region of Myanmar (Burma) to the east. Its capital city is Kohima and its largest city is the twin Chümoukedima–Dimapur. The state has an area of 16,579 square kilometres (6,401 sq mi) with a population of 1,980,602 as per the 2011 Census of India, making it one of the least populated states in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kohima</span> Capital of the Indian state of Nagaland

Kohima is the capital of the North East Indian state of Nagaland. With a resident population of almost 100,000, it is the second largest city in the state. Kohima constitutes both a district and a municipality. The municipality covers 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi). The city lies on the foothills of Japfü section of the Barail Range located south of the District and has an average elevation of 1,261 m (4,137 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naga people</span> Ethnic group of South Asia

Nagas are various Southeast Asian Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups native to northeastern India and northwestern Myanmar. The groups have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority of population in the Indian state of Nagaland and Naga Self-Administered Zone of Myanmar (Burma); with significant populations in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India; Sagaing Region and Kachin State in Myanmar.

The Angamis are a major Naga ethnic group native to the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland.

The Aos are a major Naga ethnic group native to Mokokchung District of Nagaland in Northeast India. Their main territory is from Tsüla (Dikhu) Valley in the east to Tsürang (Disai) Valley in the west in Mokokchung District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kohima district</span> District of Nagaland in India

Kohima District is a district of the Indian state of Nagaland. It is the home of the Angami Nagas. As of 2011, it is the most populous district of Nagaland, with a population of 267,988, 45% of which is urban. The district is home to 13.55% of Nagaland's entire population. The administrative headquarters of the district is located at Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. Kohima District is also the seventh-largest district in Nagaland with an area of 1,207 square kilometres (466 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mon district</span> District of Nagaland in India

Mon District is a district of Nagaland, a state in India. It is the third-largest district in Nagaland in terms of area. The district has a population of 250,260 people. Mon Town is the headquarters of the district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yimkhiung Naga</span> Ethnic group

The Yimkhiungs are a Naga ethnic group inhabiting the territories of Shamator and Kiphire District in the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland and western areas of Myanmar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetseo Sisters</span> Naga Indian sibling singing group

Tetseo Sisters are a quartet of sisters from the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland. They are devoted to the art and tradition of the vocal folk music of the state and have been performing on stage since they were children.

Lui Ngai Ni is the seed-sowing festival celebrated by the Naga tribes of Manipur India. The festival heralds the season of seed sowing and marks the start of the year for the Nagas and the festival was declared a state holiday since 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kigwema</span> Village and Metropolitan area in Northeast India, India

Kigwema is a village in the southern region of Nagaland, India. It is located in Jakhama Circle of Kohima District. The village is located 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Angami</span> Region in Northeast India

Southern Angami or Japfüphiki is a geo-cultural region located in the southern part of Kohima District in the state of Nagaland in India with a portion of its territory also lying across the inter-state border in the Senapati District of Manipur.

Aki Kiti is a semi-contact combat sport involving kicking and blocking with soles. It is a traditional sport originating from the headhunting Sümi Naga tribe of Nagaland, India. Played inside a circular ring on ground, it is normally played between two fighters. The objective is to make the opponent fall on knee or touch ground with hands or step outside of playing zone.

Kene or Naga wrestling is a folk wrestling style and traditional sport of the Nagas. It is closely related to Ssireum, the traditional national sport of Korea. The objective of the sport is to bring any part of the opponent's body above the knee to the ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chümoukedima district</span> District of Nagaland in India

Chümoukedima District is the 15th district of the Indian state of Nagaland. It was created on 18 December 2021. The district is bounded by Kohima District to the east, Peren District to the south, Tseminyü District & Niuland District to the north-east, Dimapur District to the north and Karbi Anglong District of Assam to the west and north-west. The district headquarter is located in the municipality of Chümoukedima.

This is a timeline of the history of the Nagas.

The following is a list of articles relating to the Indian state of Nagaland, sorted in alphabetical order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kisama Heritage Village</span> Naga Heritage Village

Kisama Heritage Village is a Heritage Village located on the slopes of a hill between Kigwema and Phesama Villages in the Kohima District of the Indian state of Nagaland. The Heritage Village is the venue of the annual Hornbill Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khiamniungan folk dances</span>

Tsuikuap of the Khiamniungan is not just singing and dancing but deeply rooted to cultural identity and contains deep meaning. It is done fully dressed with traditional clothings like Ahangküha, spears, Dao, shield etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahangküha</span> Traditional headgear in Nagaland

Ahangküha is a traditional headgear of the Khiamniungans in Nagaland. It is only worn during folkdancing of the regular annual tribal and village festivals.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jaini, Kshaunish (6 January 2017). "Nagaland – Hiking and Hornbill Festival in India". Alien Adventure. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  2. Hornbill Festival - Where the Action is... Archived 19 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine , EF News International. 16 November 2011.
  3. 1 2 Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, India-north-east.com
  4. "Hornbill Festival 2016 - December". Festivals of India. New Delhi: Pan India Internet. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017.
  5. Nagaland's Hornbill Festival Goes International. Outlook India.com. 1 December 2009.
  6. 1 2 "' A window to the northeast'". The Hindu. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  7. "Hornbill Festival 2015 - Hornbill Rock Contest". www.hornbillfestival.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  8. "'Ignore the potholes, enjoy the ride'". The Hindu. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2017.

Official sites

Inner Line Permit

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