The vibrant Hornbill Festival at Kisama continued to captivate audiences with a stunning array of cultural performances on its seventh day. Traditional dances and colorful displays showcasing the rich heritage of India’s Northeastern states took center stage, leaving attendees enthralled.
Morning Cultural Session
The morning session, held on December 7, 2024, was hosted by T. N. Manen, Advisor for Law & Justice and Land Revenue, with co-host Kuputo Shohe, Chairman of NSMDC. Distinguished guests included Justice Vijay Bishnoi, Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court; Nagaland Advocate General K. N. Balgopal; TRIFED Managing Director Ashish Chatterjee, IAS; Jigme Namgyal, Consul General of the Royal Bhutanese Consulate in Guwahati; H. Khan, Special Chief Secretary of Manipur; and S. Radhakrishnan, Chief General Manager of SBI North East. Judges from the Guwahati High Court, Justice Manish Chowdhury and Justice Devashis Baruah, also graced the event.
The Rongmei community opened the session with the Rangdai Lam, or Hornbill Dance, honoring the majestic bird symbolizing the festival. Following this, the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) presented an impressive lineup of performances from seven Northeastern states.
The Lusei community of Mizoram showcased the Cheraw dance, where dancers moved gracefully between long bamboo staves tapped in rhythmic beats. The Bhutia community from Sikkim performed the Singhi Chham dance, featuring dancers in snow lion costumes, while the Chakma community of Tripura presented the fluid and captivating Bizu dance.
Other performances included Assam’s energetic Bihu dance, Manipur’s traditional Lai-Haraoba, Arunachal Pradesh’s Taapu war dance by the Adi community, and Meghalaya’s graceful Wangala harvest dance by the Garo community.
Afternoon Cultural Session
The afternoon session was presided over by Air Marshal Surat Singh, AVSM, VM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command, with Minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Advisor Hekani Jakhalu Kense co-hosting.
The session featured the Dambrow Zow dance by Sikkim’s Lepcha community, symbolizing the process of husking rice; Mizoram’s Sarlamkai warrior dance celebrating victory in war; and Arunachal Pradesh’s Etor Festival dance, a male-only performance rooted in the Adi community’s traditions.
Tripura’s Jhum dance, reflecting agricultural practices, and Meghalaya’s Nongshoh Kba harvest dance, blending song and celebration, were other highlights. Assam’s Bihu dance returned to the stage, marking the season of spring and renewal.
The session concluded with a joint performance by all Northeastern troupes, celebrating unity in diversity.
Cultural Mosaic Event Celebrates Naga Heritage
The “Cultural Mosaic,” an event celebrating the diverse and unique traditions of the Naga tribes, was held on December 7, 2024, at NSF Solidarity Park, Kohima. Organized by the Department of Tribal Affairs, the event formed part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh celebrations and the IEC Campaign for Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA).
Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Elections, H. Tovihoto Ayemi, emphasized the importance of the Hornbill Festival in uniting Naga society and thanked participants for showcasing their creativity. Special guest Asit Gopal, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, highlighted Nagaland’s role in promoting organic agriculture and the global reputation of the Hornbill Festival. Minister G. Kaito Aye called for preserving cultural heritage as a pathway to sustainable development.
The event featured speeches, traditional performances, and a bonfire with music and feasting, creating an atmosphere of joy and togetherness.
Chiechama Village Hosts “Heritage Basket” Event
Chiechama Village showcased its cultural and agricultural heritage with the innovative “Farm to Cup: The Journey of Coffee Beans” event, part of its “Heritage Basket” initiative. Visitors enjoyed complimentary certified organic coffee while learning about traditional farming practices and indigenous games.
The village has revived coffee cultivation since 2018, with over 80,000 coffee plants now spanning more than 80 acres. With limited employment opportunities in the state, the initiative encourages locals to embrace agriculture as a livelihood. The event underscored the importance of preserving traditional practices while fostering economic development.
Visosieto Vupru Defends Blowing Of Horn Title
The Blowing of Horn Championship, held at Kisama on December 7, 2024, saw defending champion Visosieto Vupru from the Angami Morung retaining his title. Chingpong from the Phom Morung and Wenlad Konyak from the Konyak Morung secured second and third places, respectively.
The competition, featuring 13 tribal morungs, was judged on sustenance, creativity, and melody. Organized by Tribal Vision in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources & Sports, the event celebrated the revival of forgotten cultural practices.
Nagaland State Export Summit 2024
The Nagaland State Export Summit 2024 was held at the Bamboo Hall, Kisama, Kohima, during the Hornbill Festival. Organized by the Department of Industries & Commerce, the summit aimed to empower entrepreneurs by providing insights into export opportunities.
Director P. Tokugha Sema stressed the importance of overcoming export challenges and utilizing government schemes to expand Nagaland’s global market presence. Secretary Shanavas C highlighted the potential of branding and quality assurance to establish “Brand Nagaland.” Entrepreneurs were encouraged to focus on market trends, product promotion, and connecting with international buyers for sustained growth.
