The Hornbill Festival is a grand festival which is being organized by the State Tourism of Arts & Culture Department, Government of Nagaland. The celebration is held every year from 1 to 10 December. It is also called ‘Festival of Festivals’.
This festival depicts the perfect blend of the cultural and traditional heritage of the region. Nagaland is home to several tribes that have their unique festivals. They consider their festival sacred so it is necessary for everyone to take part in it.
Hornbill Festival is named after ‘Indian Hornbill’ which is a colorful forest bird. The festival is organized at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is located 12 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. The highlights of this week-long festival include dance performance, parades, sports, games, food fairs, religious ceremonies, etc. There are several traditional art competitions also organized which are featured with paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures made by Naga artists.
The festival aims to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland. The main objective is to display its extravaganza to the world and provide an opportunity for tourists to experience the food, songs, dances, and customs of Nagaland. It fosters an understanding of the rich cultural heritage.
Tourists can stay in the camp and experience the lifestyle of locals. They can also spend time with locals and listen to their folklores.
