The Hornbill festival of Nagaland is a very popular festival of Nagaland, the north-eastern state of India. The festival is considered as “festival of festivals”. The Hornbill Festival is a famous grand festival celebrated with pomp and gainty each year in Nagaland, North East state of India. The festival shows a powerful representation of the Naga culture through splendid traditional music, dance and performances. All different tribes in Nagaland offer their heartfelt contribution towards making the festival more vibrant and entertaining. All people congregate together and united under one umbrella to make this fair an extraordinary festival. People from across the world come to visit this famous occasion to witness or participate or sometimes, both.
HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL
The festival is named after the Indian Hornbill, a common bird among the folklores and tribes of Nagaland and can be commonly seen in and around the forests of Nagaland. The festival is being celebrated since 16 years from now. The aim of this festival is to ensure the Naga tradition and culture is preserved and protected. The festival strengthens the unity and better relation among the various tribes in Nagaland state.
DURATION OF THE FESTIVAL
The Hornbill festival is celebrated annually during the first week of December each year (1st December to 7th December). Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland is the initial location where the festival is celebrated.
HIGHLIGHTS/ IMPORTANT RITUALS OF THE FESTIVAL
- There are religious and ceremonial parades.
- Each tribe has their own ceremonial performance that is elegantly beautiful and delivered in an eccentric and professional manner.
- Mind blowing traditional folk dance with musical performances that goes on during the gradual course of events is a closely knit representation of the cultural heritages of Nagaland.
- Different kinds of traditional sports, handicrafts, folk dance, fashion shows, beauty competitions are held. The Naga culture and ethnicity are performed & enjoyed during the festival so as to bring out the competitive spirit in people.
- The festival is celebrated with various games, food fair, traditional songs, musical concerts and entertainment program to keep the spirit high during celebration
- Traditional art work, wood crafts, handy crafts, sculptures, paintings, and wood carvings are displayed.. There are also some herbal medicine stalls and display of different flower shows during the festival.
- There are various food stalls that serve different varieties of local food, including the traditional Naga food which is deliciously indulging.
- People indulge in indigenous games, traditional archery, Naga wrestling, , other athletic sports and other activities also celebrated .
- The Hornbill International Rock Festival is another highlight of the Hornbill Festival. Various local and international rock bands do perform at Indira Gandhi Stadium.
- The celebrations and concerts are performed throughout the night.