Nagaland is one of the most vibrant and colorful states of Northeast, and is a lustrous land of brave warriors who fiercely protect their land, hold on to traditions and shield the pride of their ancestry against the changing times. Their tradition has taught them to extend warm hospitality to visitors and keep the word they give to a person. Time has changed and tigers may not still dance along the Naga terrain but Hornbills still rise and coo.
State Tourism and Art Heritage Culture Departments of Nagaland organize Hornbill Festival, every year, in which a mélange of cultures are showcased under one roof. It is held at the model village built in Kisama, an Angami location situated 12 kms from Kohima ( capital of Nagaland ). Every nook and corner of this terrain holds a history of its own. The Kohima-Imphal road, which is a busy highway cutting Angami hamlets and connecting Dimapur with Manipur, holds the Kisama Falls. During World War II it was the centre of battles between the British Forces and the Japanese Army.
The Hornbill Festival is inaugurated on Nagaland Formation Day, 1stDecember, and continues till 7th December, annually. During recent years, this festival has been attracting a huge number of tourists from places around the world. To celebrate this success, the festival was extended by 3 days to last till 10th December.
The aim of this festival is to revive and protect the culture of Nagaland and to showcase their traditions to the world. For the people who come there from outside, it provides a deeper understanding of the people and culture of Nagaland.
Naga food, songs, and dances coupled with warm Naga hospitality make this festival a tourist’s paradise. Fun competitions such as Naga Chilly Eating and Pork Eating makes it more festive and puts it high on the list of one of the popular festivals of India.
