Kohima, Dec 10
The 25th edition of the 10-day Hornbill Festival culminated on Tuesday with a grand colourful closing ceremony in Nagaland’s Naga heritage village, Kisama.
The closing programme also featured a mesmerizing cultural presentation and captivating musical performances by a host of cultural troupes, leaving the audience with lasting memories of the festival's unique blend of traditions, music, and dance. The silver jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival has once again proven to be a vibrant celebration of Naga culture, drawing visitors from across the world to witness the beauty and unity of Nagaland.
The cultural extravaganza included "Thele Lu" (folk song) by the Chakhesang Cultural Troupe, which is traditionally sung by the men folk dance of the village. The song holds a significant place within the community, not confined to a single location but performed while moving from place to place, which is why it is named “Thelelu.” Another highlight was "Titse Nyeh Khidong," a millet harvesting song by the Sangtam Cultural Troupe. This song is one of the most unique and beautifully sung, quite popular with a distinct melody of its own and liked by all.
The Angami Cultural Troupe showcased the "Zakhamaehou" folk song, a traditional folk song that the youths sing when they come together in a group. The Sumi Cultural Troupe performed "AphiloKuwo," a warrior dance that is a traditional dance of the Sumi Tribe, performed during important occasions and festivals like Tuluni and Ahuna. "Aphilokuwo," or victory dance, is usually performed after a battle to celebrate victory and symbolizes thanksgiving to God for blessing them with wealth, strength, and power.
The commemorative performance by the Phom Cultural Troupe (Pangital) told the story of a woman who single-handedly killed her enemies through her wit, courage, and poise. It is said that when all adults and male members of the village had gone to the field, she stayed back at home weaving a traditional wrap-around (chi tesu) in a back strap loom. The Garo Cultural Troupe performed "Dim Dim Chong," a folk song of the Garos sung and performed as a theme during the Wangala festival. This song depicts the richness of how the Wangala festival is celebrated and enjoyed with full pomp and gaiety, highlighting the feast and merry-making amongst the young and old.
An official from Nagaland’s Tourism and Art and Culture department, which has been organizing the Hornbill Festival, mentioned that in this silver jubilee edition, Japan, the U.S., the U.K. (Wales), Peru, and Bulgaria were country partners while Sikkim and Telangana were partner states. Besides daily performances from numerous cultural troupes representing all eight northeastern states, other highlights of the iconic Hornbill Festival included sales of local products, handloom and handicrafts, artworks, horticulture, traditional stone pulling ceremony, film festival, photo fest, heritage walk, kids’ carnival, International Hornbill Naga Wrestling, indigenous games, and sports festival.
Local cuisine was featured prominently with food festivals, Naga King chili and pineapple eating competitions, a World War II rally, adventure outdoor activities, mountain biking, Dzukou Valley Day hikes, Bamboo Carnival, and Night Carnival. These attractions made for an important part of the annual gala celebration, which began on December 1.