The Hornbill Festival 2024 continued to celebrate the vibrant cultural tapestry of Nagaland with dynamic performances on its sixth day. Cultural troupes from across the state and beyond showcased their traditions through dances, songs, and rituals, leaving audiences captivated.
The day featured three sessions hosted by prominent dignitaries. The morning session was hosted by the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), with A. Panjung Jamir, Advisor for Fishery & Aquatic Resources, as the co-host. Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Mizoram, and Kedir AWOL Omar, Head of Regional Delegation, South Asia, ICRC, Geneva, were the honored guests.
The afternoon session was hosted by Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, who is also in charge of Home and Border Affairs, with S. Keoshu Yimchunger, Advisor for Youth Resources & Sports, as the co-host. Honored guests included Director General, AR, Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, and Anshu Manish Khalkho, Director (A&F), NHIDCL.
The evening session was hosted by Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton and S. Keoshu Yimchunger, with the same distinguished guests.
Performances and Cultural Highlights
· Konyak Cultural Troupe: We Pheak Wante Lokpu Hem – A song honoring warriors and preserving the art of spinning cotton yarn.
· Yimpu Ayo Hem/Lemthao Yongpu – A mourning song sung during misfortunes, offering solace to bereaved families.
· Lotha Cultural Troupe: Eramoren Oli Ejon – A traditional cultivation song sung during paddy field farming, symbolizing unity and hard work.
· Ao Cultural Troupe: Tsüksenba – A demonstration of rice pounding, accompanied by songs of love and honor, highlighting a significant cultural practice.
· Garo Cultural Troupe: Warping Sika Game – A traditional strength-based game played during the Wangala Festival.
· Angami Cultural Troupe: Liephie Pfhe – A folk song sung during preparations for jhum cultivation, celebrating teamwork among farmers.
· Tikhir Cultural Troupe: Jih Sho Ooh (Mülong Sütok Kin) – A melancholic rice-pounding song expressing the struggles of a poor girl.
· Sumi Cultural Troupe: Amalimi Kuphulu – A traditional practice of treating the brother-in-law with a grand feast during festivals.
· Chakhesang Cultural Troupe: Rekhu Kha – A song entreating divine protection for crops during the planting season.
· Khiamniungan Cultural Troupe: Eioh Yoah – A victory song marking successful village raids and celebrating valor.
· Kuki Cultural Troupe: Lom Lom – A social dance representing the peak of traditional gatherings.
· Zeliang Cultural Troupe: Kalang Kathiubo – A demonstration of traditional cotton-making and weaving techniques.
· Kachari Cultural Troupe: Bai-Maijai – A folk dance performed during festivals, symbolizing unity and joy.
· Yimkhiung Cultural Troupe: Indigenous top-spinning – A traditional game played during festivals to showcase skill and strength.
· Rengma Cultural Troupe: A soothing lullaby showcasing traditional melodies.
· Sangtam Cultural Troupe: Kijing Khi – A victory song sung by men to celebrate triumphs in war.
· Pochury Cultural Troupe: Asangsolio – A traditional victory dance performed after successful raids.
· Phom Cultural Troupe: Chingsang Songola – A ritual to stop heavy rains and protect crops.
The performances were a testament to the rich cultural diversity of Nagaland and its neighboring states, keeping the audience enthralled throughout the day. The Hornbill Festival continues to be a global platform showcasing the traditions and heritage of the region.
Over 1 lakh visitors recorded as Hornbill Festival enters Day 6
The Hornbill Festival continues to draw massive crowds, with 101,496 visitors recorded over the first six days of its 25th edition.
According to the latest data from the Department of Tourism, on the sixth day alone, the festival welcomed 197 foreign tourists, 4,003 domestic tourists, and 10,656 local tourists.
Since its opening, the festival has attracted a total of 101,496 visitors, highlighting its status as a major cultural event. The ongoing celebration, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland, has drawn people from across India and the world, eager to experience the vibrant displays of traditional dance, music, crafts, and cuisine.
Sikkim cultural troupe mesmerizes at Hornbill Festival 2024
As part of the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival, Sikkim, the official state partner for this milestone celebration, showcased its rich cultural diversity through captivating performances by the Sikkim Cultural Troupe on December 6, 2024.
Known for its harmonious blend of tribal, ethnic, and caste groups, Sikkim’s social fabric is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Lepcha, Bhutia, and Nepali communities. These indigenous groups, whose lives are shaped by the natural beauty of their mountainous homeland, presented a series of performances that reflected their unique heritage and way of life.
Highlights of the Performances
Lepcha Tribe:
Tusow Saa Tyangri Naapka – A profound and reflective piece, this performance emphasized the impermanence of both joy and sorrow. It delivered a message of hope, encouraging the audience to find purpose and positivity amid life’s challenges.
Bhutia Tribe:
Denzong Charab – Meaning “Beyul” (hidden paradise) and “Cha-rab” (history of the beginning), this spiritual dance traced the origins of Demazong, Sikkim’s sacred land blessed by Guru Padmasambhava. The performance highlighted the mystical and historical essence of the region.
Nepali Community:
Chutkey Naach – A lively and popular folk dance, Chutkey Naach celebrates youth and community. Traditionally performed in open spaces during harvests, local fairs, and festivals, the dance exuded joy and unity.
The performances by the Sikkim Cultural Troupe not only captivated the audience but also highlighted the state’s rich cultural tapestry and its deep connection to nature and spirituality. The Hornbill Festival continues to serve as a platform for cultural exchange, celebrating the diversity of India’s northeastern region and beyond.
State-level rice husking competition held
The State-Level Rice Husking Competition, organized as part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Celebration and the IEC Campaign for Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA), was held on December 6, 2024, during the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival at NSF Solidarity Park, Kohima.
Funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the competition was organized by the Tribal Research Institute, Nagaland, under the Department of Tribal Affairs, Nagaland.
A total of 30 contestants representing 15 tribes participated in the event. They were judged based on both the quality and quantity of husking the grains.
The winners of the competition were:
1. Ngapkhao & Ayo (Konyak) – 1st position
2. A. Soyaü Phom & Hantenhaila (Phom) – 2nd position
3. Mengzi & Lalam Lenthang (Kuki) – 3rd position
State-level chicken coop making competition held
Participants from 13 tribes took part in the State-Level Chicken Coop Making Competition, held at NSF Solidarity Park, Kohima, on December 6, 2024.
The competition was organized as part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh celebration and the IEC campaign for the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA). It was conducted by the Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Nagaland, under the Department of Tribal Affairs, Government of Nagaland, and funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
The event featured 12 male participants and one female participant. Yongkhumse from the Sangtam Tribe emerged as the winner, while Yemlongchaba from the Chang Tribe and Lapshaü from the Phom Tribe secured second and third places, respectively. The winners were judged based on two criteria: time and the quality of craftsmanship.
Short film screening held
The Nagaland Art Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), held a Short Film Screening event as part of the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival. The event showcased captivating short films from the Northeast and around the world, celebrating the rich diversity of cultures and stories through cinema.
The screenings took place on 5th and 6th December 2024 at the LG Hall, CIHSR Campus, 4th Mile, Chümoukedima, Nagaland. The event was graced by Sedevi Angami, Director of CIHSR, who highlighted that the Nagaland Art Centre, in collaboration with DIPR and CIHSR, organized a special short film screening. Featuring a curated selection of films from around the world, with a focus on the Northeast, the event provided a platform for audiences to explore diverse storytelling and cinematic perspectives.
He also mentioned that M. Ababe Ezung and Sentienla Pongen Ezung, founders of the Nagaland Art Centre, based in the IMC Hall, Dimapur, continue to promote the region’s cultural heritage through art and film. The event also offered a preview of the centre’s upcoming theatre, Meyitsiiloo, which will showcase short films, documentaries, and other cinematic productions. This initiative reinforces the centre’s commitment to supporting local artists and preserving Nagaland’s rich cultural legacy, promising to provide a platform for talented filmmakers to exhibit their work, promote cultural exchange, and engage with audiences in a creative setting.
Toyota Hornbill Music Festival 2024
The sixth day of the Toyota Hornbill Music Festival 2024, held at Kisama as part of the 25th Hornbill Festival, featured performances by Parikrama, Indus Creed, Girish and The Chronicles, and Fifth Note.
The Day 7 (December 7) event will showcase Samvaad, The Prophets, KL Pamei, Blue Temptation, and DJ Ina.
The concert will begin at 5:00 PM at the Main Arena, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.
Khiamniungan tribe wins 2nd tribal go-karting competition
As part of the 25th-year celebration of the Hornbill Festival, the 2nd Tribal Go-Karting Competition, organized by the Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Nagaland under the Tribal Affairs Department, was held at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Road on December 6, 2024, with 15 tribes participating.
The competition aimed to revive memories of yesteryears when children raced with wooden karts, as bicycles or tricycles were not readily available. Participants competed using similar wooden karts, bringing nostalgia to life. The youngest participant was Kevisede Dzuvichu, aged 14, from the Angami Tribe.
In the competition, the Khiamniungan Tribe emerged as the champion, while the Lotha Tribe and Pochury Tribe were declared the first and second runners-up, respectively. All winners were awarded certificates and cash prizes.
3rd state-level catapult competition held in Kohima
The 3rd edition of the State-Level Catapult Competition, organized by the Department of Tribal Affairs, celebrated indigenous traditions as part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and IEC campaign. The event was held on December 6, 2024, at NSF Solidarity Park, Kohima, as part of the ongoing Hornbill Festival.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the competition aimed to revive the traditional Naga game of catapult shooting. This year’s event saw enthusiastic participation from 30 contestants representing 15 tribes, including Sumi, Angami, Chakhesang, Chang, Tikhir, Garo, Zeliang, Yimkhiung, Konyak, Sangtam, Pochury, Phom, Kuki, Lotha, and Rengma.
A Shangtok Phom emerged as the champion, while Meso and Yhunsinlo Lorin secured second and third places, respectively. Prizes were presented by Angelina Tajen, Secretary of the Tribal Affairs Department.
Waste management efforts at Kisama
To maintain a clean and healthy Naga Heritage Village at Kisama, a dedicated group of young and resourceful individuals is working tirelessly around the clock to manage waste during the Hornbill Festival. The waste management system has been operational since day one of the festival and involves three key parties: Human Matrix, Green Guard, and the Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
The Human Matrix oversees security, waste collection, and facility services. Green Guard is stationed at various logistic locations to ensure efficient waste management. Meanwhile, Zub Zub handles on-ground operations, including segregation and rag-picking. Once segregated, the waste is sent to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where it is weighed and disposed of appropriately.
Despite the ban on single-use plastics (SUP), the management reported that most of the waste collected consists of plastic water bottles. They expressed the need for authorities to implement stricter measures to curb the use of SUPs, in line with the government’s standing order on banning such materials.
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