Hornbill Festival - A Biggest Festival In Nagaland

                                                  Hornbill Festival                        
                                                 

The Nagaland Tourism department, along with other allied departments and tribal organisations of the State, is gearing up for the ten-day long Hornbill Festival at the Naga heritage village, Kisama, some 12 kms from here.

Organised by the State Tourism and Art and Culture Departments, Hornbill Festival showcases a melange of cultural displays under one roof with an aim to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions.
Besides the cultural display at Kisama, Kohima also enjoys ten days of night carnival at Indira Stadium.
The Hornbill festival is a collaborative celebration and coming together of all Naga tribes because of which it is known as the ‘festival of festivals’
A prominent sight at Kisama are the imposing tribal Morungs (male dormitories) that are resplendent speciments of Vernacular architecture. Every Naga community is represented in their respective Morungs. Some even accomodate the majestic log drums where male members intermittently beat the gigantic hollowed log with wooden beaters in perfect synchronization. Long before the age of modern communications, the Nagas devised indigenous methodologies of relaying messages by beating different tempos and arrangements to send out messages decipherabe only to the village members. As you hear the sound reverberate throughout Kisama it hypnotically draws you in search of the source.

An ethnic wooden craft 'Naga Traditional Welcome Gate' with traditional fineries of the Naga tribes welcomes visitors to the Naga Heritage village. The village has been designed with structures and features to give you an experience of a traditional Naga village. Of the exhibits Naga  morungs or traditional huts of different tribes made with bamboo and cane and decorated with wood carvings and hunting trophies are spectacular. During the festival, Naga tribes perform traditional dances and music, along with indigenous games and sports, including wrestling.

Organised by the State tourism and Arts & Culture departments, the festival aims to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and showcase its ethnic customs and traditions to the world. Besides the traditional extravaganza, events include Hornbill International Rock Contest (HIRC), Hornbill International Musical Festival, North East Cultural Day, Hornbill Charity Concert-cum-Ball, Hornbill Master Chef Competition, Hornbill Snooker Championship, Hornbill National Dance Competition, Miss Nagaland Contest, Hornbill Annual Cycle Rally, Kids Carnival, 'Glocal' (Glocal) Film Fest, Vintage World War II Motor Rally, International Car Rally and many other competitions. Over 25 bands including bands from the US, UK, Norway, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia take part in the Hornbill International Rock Contest (HIRC) held for 4 days at the Naga Solidarity park during the festival. While the Horbill shopping festival promotes the display and sale of indigenous  Naga crafts and products, Food fest give Naga food the desired focus.    
Several dignitaries from North East and other states, diplomats, and journalists from other countries grace the occasion. Thousands of visitors from South Asian countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and other states in India takes part in the festival. The first day of the Horbill festival 2013 coincides with 50 years of attainment of Nagaland statehood on 1st December 1963.

The state is mostly mountainous except those areas bordering Assam valley. Mount Saramati is the highest peak with a height of 3,840 metres and its range forms a natural barrier between Nagaland and Burma. It lies between the parallels of 98-degree and 96-degree East Longitude and 26.6-degree and 27.4-degree latitude north of the equator. The state is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna; it has been suggested as the "falcon capital of the world.
The Hornbill Festival is the most lavish and exuberant showcasing of the Naga culture and heritage, and one of the most thronged festivals of the country by people from all around the world. The festival is named after the large exotic bird because it forms the center of many a local folklore. The Festival, organised by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, is an extravagant affair, complete with parades, fashion shows, beauty contests, sports, games, stalls of various regional cuisines and artefacts.

Expect the most ethnic representation of all the Naga tribes, including their traditional war costumes and war cries, the different simplistic architectural styles in the smaller huts erected in the area. If you thought that the festival for all display and no interaction, you’re wrong there. There is a slew of amazing competitions to participate in, like the King Chilly Eating Competition, the Hornbill Rock Festival, the Kohima Night Bazaar, and even more, which you shouldn’t miss at any cost if Nagaland is on your list of destinations to visit in December.

Legends:-

Festivals in India were always associated with agriculture. Nagaland and its tribes celebrated the same. The Nagaland State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments brought together all tribes ad celebrations to create a spectacular extravaganza of art, culture, music, dance and festivities.
Started in 2000, the festival displayed the glorious heritage of Nagaland. 2007 witnessed the origin of the Rock Music Festival giving it an international platform. Today the festival has made an international name. Not only Nagaland, the glories of all North Eastern states of India can be witnessed under one roof. The festivities are numerous. From arts, rituals, food, activities, music, dancing and shopping, relish the wealth of traditions so proudly preserved

Celebrations:-

Hornbill festival, also known locally as the “Festival of Festivals, is organized by State Tourism and Arts and Culture Department, Government of Nagaland to encourage inter-tribal harmony and promote colorful local culture and traditions, display its unique customs, rituals and practices as well as preserve its heritage. Tourists are warmly welcomed and are treated well. The celebrations are attended by all the major tribes of Nagaland who present themselves with various arts, folk songs, dances and games. There are numerous displays of handicrafts, handloom, multi-cuisine, local food stalls while a rich amount of rice beer always at hand to indulge in. Evenings are lighted by the thrilling Hornbill National Rock Concert in which bands from all over the country and abroad participate to compete. This is followed by the amazing Night Market in the town. But the most attractive event at the festival is Naga chilly eating competition and pork eating festival which draws a lot of crowd and evokes much fanfare and excitement.

Main events/highlights of the Hornbill Festival:-

1. Cultural events spread throughout the festival highlighting traditional dances, music, indigenous games
2. King Chilly Eating Contest
3. Port Fat Eating Contest
4. The Hornbill Rock Festival
5. North East Cultural Ensemble
6. Hornbill Adventure Rally
7. The Kohima Night Bazaar
8. World War Peace Rally

•Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland every year in the first week of December. It is one of the biggest indigenous festivals of the country.
•The festival is a tribute to Hornbill, the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas for its qualities of alertness and grandeur.
•The majestic bird is closely identified with the social and cultural life of the Nagas as reflected in tribal folklore, dances and songs.
•It is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments. It is also supported by the Union Government.
•The Hornbill Festival provides a colourful mixture of dances, performances, crafts, parades, games, sports, food fairs and religious ceremonies.
•It exposes both the culture and tradition of tribal peoples, and reinforces Nagaland’s identity as a unique state in India’s federal union.
•It was established on 1st December 1963 and was inaugurated by the then President Dr. S Radhakrishnan.
•Over the years festival has become a unique platform for tourists to witness cultural diversity not only of the Nagas and other seven sister states of the northeastern region.
Entry Formalities - Permits: Before embarking on a journey to Nagaland, acquiring the entry permit is a must.

Domestic tourists :-

Domestic tourists should obtain the Inner Line permit issued by the following authorities  Deputy Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi, Deputy Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, Kolkota, Assistant Resident Commissioner In Guwahati and Shillong, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung .

Foreign tourists:-

Foreign tourists no longer require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) / Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter Nagaland. Previously, tourists were required to travel in a minimum group of four people. They were allowed to visit all 11 district headquarters and specified places with this permit, valid for 10 days, with an option to extend for up to a month. The new rules only require foreigners to register themselves at the local Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the district they visit within 24 hours of their arrival. This is a temporary change in effect for one year.

How To Reach:-

1.The Hornbill Festival venue - Naga Heritage Complex is at Kisama village situated 12 kms away from Kohima on NH-39. The venue for the Rock concert is IG Stadium Kohima, 20 kms from Kisama. Nagaland is well connected by Road, Air and Train.

By Air:-

1.Nearest Airport and Railway station is at Dimapur which is at a distance of 70 Kms from the state capital Kohima (however, Guwahati Airport is connected to all the major cities of India) and around 2 hour’s journey (often it takes more time for traffic).

By Train:-

1.Regular shared vehicles are available from Dimapur Railway Station. Guwahati to Dimapur is connected by various trains and Shatabdi-12067 is the best option.

By Road:-

1.By road it is 340 Km and around 8 hour’s journey from Guwahati. Daily overnight buses from Guwahati ISBT are available. Private vehicles on hire are available from Guwahati and Jorhat.