Hornbill Festival

Hornbill Festival 

 The Hornbill Festival is an annual festival taking place at Kisama Heritage village in Nagaland in the first week of December from the 1st to the 10th of Dec.

17 Major tribes of Nagaland participated in a colorful display of art, culture and heritage in this 10 days. Its a cultural event of Naga tribes in north east state of India, Nagaland.

We can see here  is great performances, colorful ethnic outfits, handicrafts, music, mouth-watering Naga delicacies, various games, competitions and events.

I also witnessed some stunning performances of renowned artists from Nagaland in Hornbill Festival

You can visit hornbill festival at kisama which tourist all over the world come and see indigenous Naga culture and art and taste Naga cuisine. You can go for hiking to Dzuku valley, Khonoma green village, Kapampdzii mountain and many more. Now why it's called hornbill it's named a colorful bird named hornbill. Although it's not the state bird of Nagaland

This festival is to protect the tribe's ethnic identity their customs ,there way of life and lifestyle, it's very much culturally rich fest of India.The first place to visit would be Kisama Village which is also the Naga model village where the great International Hornbill Festival takes place. It is safe!!! Go visit not only the towns and cities but go trekking on the mountains/ River and you may find very precious stones if you are lucky enough...

You can see the different dance forms of the tribes know about there cultures enjoy there exotic foods and many more. Besides you can also participate in different competitions like eating maximum no. of king chilli, eating pork fat and many more. You can also participate in different local adventure sports activities like climbing an oiled bamboo pole catching a Pig etc.

Delicious delicacies comprising of smoked pork, bamboo shoots, and varieties of locally made exotic vegetables. Some of the ethnic dishes I tasted were Anishi with pork, smoked pork with rice and ginger chutney, Fish with bamboo shoots, local chicken curry and naga pork curry. I also tasted the rice beer (zutho) in bamboo glass and various naga teas.

The main items essential in naga diet includes sticky rice, pork, beef, chicken, vegetables, chilli sauce. At the Night Food carnival near the naga bazaar street, Kohima I found stalls offering delicacies of grasshoppers, silkworms, snails, frogs and dog meat too

The Music – I must say that Nagas are one of the best musicians and singers in India. I witnessed some outstanding talent of Nagaland. Music programmers were organized at many locations including Camp David where I stayed for 3 nights. The performers delighted the crowds during the opening ceremony and on the successive days of the festival. I also attended Hornbill Music festival and watched the choir musical program (Choral call) at Dimapur. The 1-hour musical program of Tetseo sisters was an enchanting experience.

The last day of Hornbill festival is the most important affair with energetic performances. You should not miss any day of Hornbill festival, however last day will be the most memorable one accompanying Grand ceremony. Hornbill Rock Concert held at Indira Gandhi stadium and one of the bestmusic event in the India.

The Handicrafts and Artworks – Exhibition of indigenous artworks, handicrafts and hand loom was one of the key attraction at Hornbill festival. Range of exotic jewellery, ethnic head gear, footwear, shawls, spears, hunting equipment's, bamboo articles, tools, musical instruments and even wall hangings, photo-frames and paintings were available in colorful stalls installed at the Bamboo pavilion at Kisama.

 Kosama in Ngaland is very crowded during the hornbill festival. You can book your accomodation now to avoid last minute rush. I suggest you stay in Kigwema village near the hornbill site. Many homestyas are there likely to fit your budget. They are on airbnb. They can also arrange tour guides or depending on the number of persons hire a tata sumo or small bus to visit nearby villages like Khonoma, Dzulakie, Kohima village and town.

Delicious food of Naga people

The Handicrafts and Artworks – Exhibition of indigenous artworks, handicrafts and hand loom was one of the key attraction at Hornbill festival. Range of exotic jewellery, ethnic head gear, footwear, shawls, spears, hunting equipment's, bamboo articles, tools, musical instruments and even wall hangings, photo-frames and paintings were available in colorful stalls installed at the Bamboo pavilion at Kisama.

The Overall Experience I have found that Nagaland has the best to offer travellers and tourists. Other than the infrastructure such as transportation which needs to improve a lot, the people, weather and culture is lovable . I thoroughly enjoyed my trip of Hornbill Festival and recommend every traveler to visit it at least once and experience for themselves.