Conceptualized in the year 2000, the Hornbill Festival is a ten-day annual tourism promotional event organized by the State Government to showcase Nagaland’s rich and traditional cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur. For a rich blend of culture, music, and heritage, the Hornbill Festival is an unforgettable event for travelers seeking an authentic and traditional experience in Northeast India.
Nicknamed as the “Festival of Festivals” this event provides a unique platform for visitors to witness not only the Naga cultural diversity converged at one venue but also the states of Northeast India as a means of cultural exchange, while adventure, sports, art, handicraft, fashion, music, literature etcetera also come as part of the special package.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Nagaland on completion of 25 years of Hornbill Festival. He also conveyed his best wishes and expressed happiness on the festival’s focus on waste management and sustainability. Shri Modi recalled fond memories from his visit to the festival a few years ago and urged others to visit it and experience the vibrancy of Naga culture.
Sharing a post on X by Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu Rio, the Prime Minister wrote: “My best wishes for the ongoing Hornbill Festival and congratulations to the people of Nagaland on this lively festival completing 25 years. I am also glad to see the focus on waste management and sustainability during this year’s festival.
I have fond memories from my own visit to this Festival a few years ago and I urge others to visit it and experience the vibrancy of Naga culture.” The Chief Minister of Nagaland also expresses on the same media, under his account @Neiphiu_Rio:
“Attended stone pulling ceremony commemorating 25 years of #HornbillFestival, at Kigwema village, with Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Ji @gssjodhpur. The auspicious ceremony marks an important cultural event and symbolizes progress, oneness, and unity.”
The fourth day of the 25th Hornbill Festival witnessed the grand culmination of the Stone Pulling Ceremony at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama. The event was graced by Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the stone pulling tradition. He praised the efforts of the Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) and other community leaders for their dedication to preserving this rich cultural heritage.
“Today’s stone pulling ceremony is a testament to the strength, unity, and perseverance of the Naga people,” said Imna Along. “Despite challenges during the journey, including the rope breaking multiple times, the resilience and determination of the people ensured the mighty stone reached its destination. This symbolizes the unbreakable unity of Nagaland’s tribes.”
The ceremony, which involved pulling a massive stone from Napfülezha Kigwema TCP Gate to Kisama, showcased the collective efforts of various groups, including the Southern Angami People’s Organization, Southern Angami Youth Organization, women’s groups, and local leaders. Imna Along described the stone as a representation of Nagaland’s cultural heritage and a blessing for the future.
He also extended gratitude on behalf of the Government of Nagaland to all participants, including the Department of Tourism, the Department of Art and Culture, and the numerous visitors who joined the celebration.
“This mighty stone, pulled in commemoration of the 25th Hornbill Festival, carries the blessings of unity, peace, and prosperity—not only for Nagaland but for the entire country and beyond,” he added.
The program was led by Er. Swelul Pucho and featured a valedictory address by Chairman of Kigwema Village, Balie Kere and a benediction prayer by Pastor Zhawheto Tacü from CRC Phesama.
In fact, India is a land of fairs and festivals as per its hugely diverse population in rituals, customs, trends and traditions under immense cultural diversity. Each state and community enjoy their culture with participation of others.
Nagaland is a land engulfed in mystery, inhabited by vibrant people zealously guarding their culture – dancers, warriors, head-hunters; mountains, valleys, forests – all these activities form the portrait of Nagaland the moment the word is uttered.
Ten-Day activities mostly include Event Activities: Cultural performances by different Naga tribes; Handlooms & Handicrafts; Flora and vegetation; Indigenous games and sports; Local cuisine / food festival; Village walks/ treks; Cultural exchange; Arts & crafts; Exhibition cum sale of tourism products; International Loin Loom; Sport events-International Hornbill Naga Wrestling; Open contests- Naga King Chilly & Pineapple Eating Competitions; Hornbill Music Festival – Handshake concerts/ Rock contests/; Adventure Outdoor activities- Mountain biking/ Dzukou Valley Day Hikes; Bamboo Carnival/ Night Carnival; and many more.
The Hornbill Festival 2024, themed “Cultural Connect,” is a grand celebration of Nagaland’s rich heritage and cultural diversity. With daily cultural performances featuring folk dances, songs, indigenous games, and rituals, the festival is a spectacular showcase of the state’s living traditions.
It is one of Nagaland’s most iconic cultural events. Scheduled to take place up to December 10, this festival is hosted at the Kisama Heritage Village, just 12 km from Kohima, Nagaland’s capital. The Fest celebrates the rich heritage of Nagaland’s 17 tribes through an array of events and activities, including:
As per performances, the fest pulses with energy throughout the day as warriors in full ceremonial attire perform traditional dances and war cries. Each performance tells a story — of victories, harvests, love, and tribal legends. The warriors, adorned with distinctive headgear decorated with hornbill feathers, boar tusks, and colorful woven sashes, create an unforgettable spectacle.
During traditional games, visitors can witness thrilling demonstrations of traditional games, including Naga wrestling matches, archery displays, and bamboo pole climbing competitions. People can also participate or watch unique contests like the Chilli-eating challenge.
During Morong Exhibition, Kisama Heritage Village is dotted with traditional morungs (youth dormitories) representing each major tribe, each structure a testament to the unique architectural heritage of its people. These “morungs” serve as both exhibition spaces and cultural stages, where tribe members demonstrate their customs, display artefacts, and share their stories with visitors.
For food and beverages one can relish authentic Naga cuisine and beverages like the locally brewed rice beer (zutho); smoked pork with axone (fermented soybean); bamboo-steamed fish, and much more. Each tribe brings its own unique recipes and cooking methods, making the festival a comprehensive showcase of Naga culinary heritage.
Under category of Music and Art, fest goers can enjoy contemporary music at the Hornbill National Rock Concert, photography exhibitions, and art displays. The Fest attracts both local and international artists, creating a dynamic fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds. A vibrant night bazaar in Kohima extends the festivities into the evening, where fashion shows present innovative interpretations of traditional Naga designs. Photography contests capture the festival’s vibrant spirit, while cultural exchange programs facilitate deeper understanding between visitors and local communities.
In “Night Markets”, visitor can explore vibrant stalls offering handloom, handicrafts, and delicious street food. Visitors can purchase authentic handicrafts, textiles, and jewelry, each piece telling a story of the region’s rich artistic traditions. In fact, the fest serves as an important marketplace for these traditional arts, helping preserve ancient crafting techniques while providing economic opportunities for local
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