The Hornbill Festival is back - all about it

Often called the Festival of All Festivals, because of its grandeur and colourful nature, the Hornbill Festival is a grand celebration of the tribal way of life that happens each year in Nagaland. However, the event could not be celebrated last year for the first time in its history because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the decrease in the Corona positive cases this year, the state is gearing up to hold the festival in 2021 from December 1 to December 10.  

What is the Hornbill Festival and when was it started? 

The Hornbill festival was launched in 2000 as an annual tourism promotional event of the Nagaland government organized by the Departments of Tourism and Art and Culture. The festival usually kicks off in the state capital of Kohima, and spreads out events showcasing the rich Naga tradition and culture at the Naga Heritage Village of Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima. It’s an internationally recognized festival. Not only Nagas, Hornbill showcases the culture and tradition of 8 North eastern states, including Sikkim.  

How did Hornbill Festival get its name? 

The festival got its name from the Indian Hornbill. The Hornbill is a common bird in the folklores of the tribes of Nagaland. It can be seen prancing around on tree branches in the forests of Nagaland. Many Naga tribes take this bird as a part of their culture, and even respect it. So, when the idea of a cultural festival of indigenous people came up, the name of this bird was chosen to grace it.   

How do the local Nagas celebrate the Hornbill Festival?

The Naga take pride in the festival and participate with much gusto. Splendid traditional dances, often of men with spears, are put up to the accompaniment of tribal music. The costumes of North-eastern tribes make it a mesmerising spectacle. There’s also a lot of participatory events, where guests can dance along. As with all Indian festivals, Hornbill features delicious cuisine.  

What is the aim of the Hornbill Festival?

The festival has been running for 16 years. It basically started as a cultural exhibition. The aim of this festival was to ensure the Naga culture is preserved and protected. But it has also brought about better relation among the various tribes.