Nagaland Gears Up To Host Famous Hornbill Festival; Here Are The Dates

Nagaland is all set to host the famous Hornbill Festival in style.  After last year’s low-key celebrations, this time Nagaland folks are all set to celebrate this festival with pomp and glory. Hornbill festival is Nagaland’s provincial festival that takes place every year. It started in the year 2000, and it is the festival’s 23rd edition this year.

Here Are More Deets About The Naga Festival

This year the state’s festival will take place from the 1^st to the 10^th of December. According to reports, the Hornbill festival will be celebrated at the Naga Heritage village in Kisama. Naga Heritage Village is about 12 kilometres from the state capital Kohima.

In 2020, the government permitted the virtual celebration of the Hornbill festival. In 2021, the government cancelled the celebrations mid-way. Because some civilians were killed in Nagaland, and several tribes decided not to participate in cultural programs.

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Here’s Why Hornbill Festival Is Celebrated?

It is one of the largest festivals celebrated in Nagaland and it is celebrated to promote exchanges between tribes. Throughout this festival, the locals preserve, protect and revitalize the uniqueness and richness of their heritage. At the Hornbill festival, you can also witness folk dances, traditional music, savour local cuisine, buy handicrafts, participate in art workshops, learn about ethnic groups, and more.

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Every year the state tourism’s arts and culture department organise this festival with the support of the Union government. This festival also pays homage to the hornbill —the most admired and revered bird of the Naga people. The hornbill bird is revered for its agility and majesty.

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Besides Hornbill Festival, Lui Ngai Ni is another folk festival of Nagaland. Lui Ngai Ni is a sowing festival that is also celebrated by the Naga tribe of Manipur. This is a festival in February that heralds the beginning of spring.

Cover image courtesy: Hornbill Festival Twitter & Wikimedia Commons