The Hornbill festival is a celebration held every year in the first week of December, in Nagaland, North-east India. It is also called as the ‘Festival of Festivals’.
The tribes of Nagaland celebrate their festivals with gusto and fervor. More than 60% of the population of Nagaland depends on agriculture and therefore most of their festivals revolve round agriculture.
Named after the bird, Hornbill Festival is one of the largest celebrations of the indigenous warrior tribes of Nagaland, the hornbill is particularly revered by the Nagas and is reflected in tribal folklore, dances and songs.
The festival is usually on every year from December 1-7. However, from 2013 it was extended for a few extra days. It now concludes on December 10.
The Hornbill Festival is becoming a bigger pull. It is growing economically significant, too. Last year, some 1.8 lakh tourists, including 5,000 foreigners, visited and organisers are expecting more than two lakh this year.
The nights are longer in Kohima these days. The city that usually closes down by 5pm is now awake until midnight, as the festival has turned it into a big party venue.
The Festival is attended by all of Nagaland’s major tribes. It features traditional arts, dances, folk songs, and games.