As the Hornbill Festival anticipation builds in Nagaland, we shift our focus beyond state borders to capture the resonance of this cultural extravaganza among non-residents.
Dr Nirmal Devi, an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Girijananda Chowdhury University, Azara, Guwahati shared a captivating personal narrative. Dr Devi, a nature lover, portrays the Hornbill Festival as a “festival of love connecting nature.” Having attended the festival on two occasions, in 2017 and 2018, she recounts the profound impact it had on her, particularly during her stay at the Khonoma Green Village in a homestay—an experience she holds dear as one of her most cherished memories.
“This is the most beautiful place to feel, to experience living with nature. I have traveled to several countries, cities, and villages around the world, but there are some places that draw us back, compelling us to visit and explore again and again. Khonoma Green Village is one of those places for me,” shared Dr Devi.
Reflecting on the diverse attractions of the Hornbill Festival, Dr Devi emphasized that the best part is that it attracts people of all age groups. She fondly recalls her 7/8-year-old daughter’s delight in the ropeway adventure, participation in story and essay writing competitions, and the subsequent receipt of two first prizes—a source of enduring joy for her daughter.
Beyond the festivities, Dr Devi underscores Nagaland’s distinctiveness as a state abundant in natural resources, unique cultures, and diverse culinary offerings—an earthly paradise often overlooked by many in other parts of India and the world. With heartfelt conviction, she asserts that the Hornbill Festival serves as a platform, extending beyond borders and boundaries, to know the uniqueness of Nagaland.
KS Mobein, a student from Rohtak, Haryana, provides unique insights into his perspective on Nagaland and the Hornbill Festival. Living just a couple of hours away from the national capital, Nagaland seems as alien to Mobein as a European-governed territory somewhere in the Caribbean. His understanding of the culture and daily life of the Northeastern states has been primarily facilitated by social media platforms.
“While my understanding of Naga culture is limited, the recurrent mentions and media coverage of the annual Hornbill Festival have caught my attention,” said Mobein.
He notes that the elevation of a tribal woman to the position of the country’s leader instills confidence in him that tribal cultures and values receive paramount consideration in governmental policy-making forums.
For Mobein, the Hornbill Festival, renowned as the “festival of festivals,” carries profound significance. Aligned with the prevailing Look East policy, he holds sanguine expectations that such cultural events will catalyze tourism in this enchanting state.
Also Read: From “an almost-international event” to “event for the elite” – The Hornbill Festival spectrum
Swarit Soohard, a data science student from New Chandigarh, Punjab, candidly admits, “I don’t know much about the Hornbill Festival.” However, he recognizes its significance as a major celebration for all the Naga tribes, serving as a platform for showcasing their talents, especially in music and dance. Swarit emphasizes the festival’s enormous potential, viewing it as one of the best ways to understand the rich and diverse culture of the Naga tribes.
Expressing the festival’s broad impact, Swarit notes that the Hornbill Festival is not just massive at a national level but also holds international significance. He echoes the sentiment shared by others, recognizing why it is aptly referred to as the “festival of festivals.”
Meanwhile, Dr Nipu Dutta, Technical Assistant at Tezpur University, Assam, provides a distinct viewpoint. He admits to knowing only the name of the Hornbill Festival and nothing beyond that. Dr Dutta shares, “I’ve heard more about the Ziro Festival than Hornbill.”
Dr Dutta expressed confidence in the Hornbill Festival’s potential as a significant platform for promoting tourism in Nagaland. However, he highlighted a noteworthy observation regarding the effectiveness of advertising channels. According to him, social media has emerged as the most potent platform for promotion in contemporary times.
“I have yet to come across any advertisements for the Hornbill Festival. When you use platforms like Facebook and YouTube, you encounter numerous ads. There are agencies running these ads, and, in my view, these digital channels are more penetrative tools than traditional print media nowadays,” stated Dr. Dutta.
