Hornbill is one of the most entertaining festivals from the North Eastern parts of India. It is prominently celebrated by the Nagas who are the indigenous tribes of Nagaland. The tribes get together each year as soon as December begins and take part in the festival which goes on for about 10 days.
Hornbill is a way to celebrate everything Naga, yet it is not just a cultural fest. There is music, racing, dance, food, and so much more. The merriments indeed are a way to look at the culture and conventions, show their one of a kind tradition, various customs as well as practices. It is in also in a way the showcasing of their extraordinary legacy.
Huge billboards, typically decorated with representations of Naga individuals clad in their delightful best conventional wear welcome voyagers from everywhere throughout the world to the Celebration of Festivals, all the more famously known as the Hornbill Festival. The celebration goes by the name because it the word that is guzzled in the state’s old stories. The conventional clothing of the tribes is remarkable. When all’s said and done, the celebration begins with the conventional dances, tunes, and indigenous diversions for the duration of the day which the travelers from outside the region generously appreciate and take part in.
The celebration venue of the Hornbill festival is the little place of Kisama Heritage Village, around 12 km outside of the capital city of Kohima. The scene is an amalgamation of many hues, sets of amphitheaters, resting spots for the participants of different groups, eateries, galleries, shops, etc. The whole town is a setup that represents the North-Eastern states, especially Nagaland.
The festival is a comprehensive show of the many nuances of culture, heritage, etc. There are various showcases of painstaking work, handloom, food, cuisine. The conventional rice lager is not to be missed at all. Follows all this the exciting Hornbill National Rock Concert in which groups from everywhere throughout the nation and abroad take part to contend. Post this is the day for the astonishing Night Market in the town. Exhibitions aside, the celebration of Naga Culture additionally has a few rivalries like bamboo walks in which the climb is made troublesome by binding bamboo shafts intensely with pork fat. Prominent rivalries incorporate a Naga rendition of high jump competition that includes kicking a high-hanging bit of meat with both legs, and the Naga bean stew eating rivalry. At the Hornbill Festival you can check out tribal cuisine. Rice beer is a must-try. You can indulge in music too or check out the indigenous instruments if you can play them. It is fun all the way.
The most straightforward way to get to Kisama is to travel to Dimapur. You can reach Dimapur from Kolkata or Guwahati. If you prefer traveling by train, you can take the Brahmputra Mail 14056 or the North-East Express, which start from Delhi. After you alight, take a taxi or for the two hours drive to Kisama. The road route itself is lovely with warrior hovels roosted high on the precipices, views of the glorious valley from the distance is astonishing. The trip is definitely a reprieve from the pangs of routine.
For exploring the region after your time at the Hornbill fest, visit the war graveyard and nearby markets in Kohima. Utilize the mornings to investigate the attractions of the capital city. A 2 days trek to Dzukou valley is a must. It is the valley full of flowers and the Japfu. Getting a travel permit is prudent, so get that beforehand. Kohima is truly chilly during the December month. Have a nice trip!