Chizokho Vero Morung Express News Hectic preparations are on for the forthcoming Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, starting from December 1 till 10 at the picturesque Naga Heritage Village Kisama, about 10 km away from state capital Kohima. Talking to media persons, parliamentary secretary for tourism C. Apok Jamir said the preparation is going on full swing. He said everything is going well to see that the festival is celebrated in a grand way. The parliament secretary appealed to the people of the state to accord hospitality to the visitors throughout the 10 day festival, as practiced since from time immemorial. Jamir said the stone pulling ceremony on December 3 under the aegis of Angami Sports Association (ASA) as part of the Hornbill Festival in coinciding with its golden jubilee will be an additional attraction of this year Hornbill festival. He said Alam Gemmel, OBE minister, cultural affairs British Council India will be part of this event. Nagaland’s chief minister T.R. Zeliang and Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal will be there for this event. Meanwhile, he appealed to the people of the state to accord hospitality to the visitors throughout the 10 day festival, as practiced since from time immemorial. Organized by the state tourism and art & culture departments, Hornbill Festival showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof. The Hornbill Festival is intended to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage and attract tourists. The festival is a tribute to the hornbill, a bird most admired by the Naga people for its qualities of alertness and grandeur. This majestic bird is linked closely with the social and cultural life of the people, as is evident in tribal folklores, dances and songs. The awe and admiration for the bird is symbolically displayed on almost all traditional tribal headgears worn during festivities. Hornbill Bollywood Dhamaka will also be part of the Hornbill Music Festival featuring KK and Kailash Kher on December 3 at Dimapur. The week-long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies. Among the many highlights of this festival includes traditional Naga Morungs exhibition and sale of Arts and Crafts, Food Stalls, Herbal Medicine Stalls, Flower shows and sales, Cultural Medley – songs and dances, Fashion shows, Beauty Contest, Hornbill International Naga wrestling, Indigenous Games, Hornbill International Rock contest, music festival, Hornbill Marathon, choral contest, etc.
