Tourists checking out local products at a stall in Kisama, the main venue of the ongoing Hornbill Festiva. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 8
As the Hornbill Festival set-foot in its eight day of festivity and merry-making, several first-time visitors and stall owners shared their experiences with regard to 10-day event.
“It has been a very beautiful, well-organised experience and the people are really friendly,” described one international tourist from Illinois, USA.
She is a regular visitor to India, but it was her first time to the Hornbill Festival.
Another first-timer named Bruce from Cape Town, South Africa praised the hospitality and food being offered during his visit to the State.
“The Hornbill festival had been on my list for a long time and to witness the singing and dancing has been a once in a life-time experience,” he commented.
“I would highly recommend my friends to come here as well,” he added.
Mezong Jamir, who sells apparels and hand-drawn artworks at the venue, informed that considerable sales have been made so far.
“The sales are actually going really well, in fact two of our products are sold out,” he said.
Most of products were bought by tourists who fancy Naga tribal artwork embroidered into their apparels, he shared.
For stall owner, Lichumbeni, who sells locally-brewed wine from different manufacturers in Wokha, sales had not been encouraging this year, compared to previous editions of the festival. ‘But we are hoping for better sales in the remaining days,’ she added.
Another vendor from Ukhrul, selling stone-made pottery and utensils recounted that sales were better in the past.
Nevertheless, having been to the festival for the fourth time in a row, he expressed optimism that there would better returns in the remaining days of the festival.
