Sunday 6 October 2013

Hornbill Festival

Hornbill Festival, celebrated in the first week of December each year, is a cultural extravaganza showcasing 16 major tribes and many sub-tribes of Nagaland. This week-long (extended to 10 days this year) festival is organised by the State Tourism and the Art & Culture Departments at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. 


During the vibrant festival each tribe showcases its colourful costumes with beads, jewellery, ivory armlets, headgears (made of bamboo, orchids and decorated with boar's teeth and hornbill's feathers) and weapons (spears and daos) . In the past, only those warriors who proved their gallantry could adorn such an attire.



The festival has dance & musical performances, traditional art & crafts, traditional cuisine, native sports, fashion shows, herbal medicines and so on. A unique highlight of the festival is the exhibition of the customary Naga Morung (youth dormitory), which offers onlookers a rare insight into the way of life of a typical Naga.

A major highlight of this year’s festival is the Hornbill Chef Award for the best Naga cuisine, which is likely to see many hidden talents get recognised and help popularise Naga cuisine internationally.

Besides the chance to witness under one roof the unique and colourful cultures and tradition of the state, the takeaway for any visitor from the festival  is the warmth and hospitality of the people.

 Travel Country Roads has special tour packages for the Hornbill festival and Nagaland with home stay arrangements to give an unparalleled real experience. If you are interested please do get in touch with us! Please feel free to contact us if you have any query relating to Hornbill Festival or North East, and we will be happy to help even if you are not availing our services right now.