Hornbill Festival begins in Nagaland

The Hornbill Festival began in the Naga Heritage village of Kisama. The festival coincides with the Statehood Day of Nagaland which is observed on December 1.
It is tourism promotional extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage. It is also called as the ‘Festival of Festivals‘.

Key Facts

• Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland every year in the first week of December. It is one of the biggest indigenous festivals of the country.
• The festival is a tribute to Hornbill, the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas for its qualities of alertness and grandeur.
• The majestic bird is closely identified with the social and cultural life of the Nagas as reflected in tribal folklore, dances and songs.
• It is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments. It is also supported by the Union Government.
• The Hornbill Festival provides a colourful mixture of dances, performances, crafts, parades, games, sports, food fairs and religious ceremonies.
• It exposes both the culture and tradition of tribal peoples, and reinforces Nagaland’s identity as a unique state in India’s federal union.
• It was established on 1st December 1963 and was inaugurated by the then President Dr. S Radhakrishnan.
• Over the years festival has become a unique platform for tourists to witness cultural diversity not only of the Nagas and other seven sister states of the northeastern region.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2016