Since the year 2000, the Hornbill festival in Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland, has been an annual affair. Every year, from December 1 to 10, the festival celebrates the diverse cultures of the Naga tribes.The Hornbill festival ends two weeks before Christmas, and Nagaland is a Christian majority state (96% of its 2 million population is Christian). The Hornbill Festival ensures that locals make good money just before Christmas, which is Nagaland’s and Naga society’s biggest and most-anticipated festival. The Hornbill Festival is Nagaland’s most important and anticipated festival. Its popularity grows year after year, not just in India but also abroad.
The Naga civilization is divided into 16 distinct tribes, each with its unique set of traditions, dietary habits, costumes, and language. They can’t communicate since each tribe speaks a distinct language. The Nagas converse among themselves using Nagamese, a blend of broken Assamese, Hindi, and Bengali. Because agriculture employs more than 60% of Nagaland’s population, most of their festivities revolve around it. They regard their festivals as sacred, thus participation is obligatory. So the Hornbill Festival in that sense is also a rare occasion when 16 Naga tribes come together in one place to celebrate their diversity.
We bring you 5 surprising facts about the festival that we bet you didn’t know!
1. Kohima is not the venue of the Hornbill Festival.
Despite the fact that Kohima is Nagaland’s capital, the main venue of the Hornbill Festival is the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, some 12 kilometres south of Kohima. The open-air museum Kisama depicts several aspects of Naga life, such as homes and morungs (or bachelor dormitories). Kisama reveals the manner of life and culture of the different Naga tribes.
2. The festival is named after the Indian hornbill. But it isn’t even the state bird.
The state bird of Nagaland is the Blyth’s tragopan, an endangered species of pheasant. The hornbill is especially venerated by the Nagas, as evidenced by tribal traditions, dances, and songs.
3. The venue has 16 gates
The gates represent the 16 major tribes that make up the majority of Nagaland’s population. Each gate is one-of-a-kind, with motifs inspired by local tribes.
4. Celebration of Statehood Day
The inaugural day of the biennial Hornbill Festival also coincides with Nagaland’s statehood day celebration. Dr. S. Rar declared Nagaland the 16th state of the Indian Union on this day in 1963.
5. Visitors can compete in a chilli eating contest organised by the festival.
One of the festival’s most popular competitions includes eating chillies. Brave participants, including Assam Rifles troops and officers, queue up to eat as many as they can, actually sobbing as they strive to outdo one other.
Let us know which fact surprised you the most and encouraged you to plan your next trip to Nagaland to witness this unique amalgamation of tribal life and rituals. For any queries please contact us at info@sita.in and for more interesting content on travel, heritage and culture visit us on various social media platforms!
