A cultural troupe participates at the ongoing ten-day Hornbill Festival 2018 held at Kisama, Kohima on December 3. (Morung Photo)
Neichu Mayer
Israel
Over the past few years, whenever I mention Nagaland where I come from, invariably someone would say, ‘ah we know about Nagaland, the place where the famous Hornbill Festival takes place’. Hornbill Festival has put Nagaland on the map in peoples mind in India and abroad. It has lived up to its name, ‘the Festival of Festivals’. It has become synonymous to any grand and exotic festival in the world. If you are looking for a magnificent display for a rich cultural and traditional heritage of authentic indigenous people, this is the festival for you.
Despite rapid modernization and growing western influence, Naga people have managed to keep their ethnic identity rooted and strong. I believe the reason for this is the unique Naga pride. Every Naga, anywhere in the world, would proudly claim their way of life, their folklore, their language and their traditional attires as the most unique and the best. There is something intriguing about why Nagas feel so good about who they are and where they come from. Hence, a festival like this is wholeheartedly embraced by the people with much sentimental interest and allegiance, even though it has no historical or traditional practice associated with it.
Thanks to the Government’s fervent support, today the festival has become the most awaited event of the year for many people in Nagaland. Needless to say, it has boozed the economy and provided an opportunity for many new ventures to emerge. For those of us who live away from home, this festival gives us the reason to invite our friends and acquaintances to see our people and our land. These are just a few of the many reasons why this festival is a good initiative and must be appreciated.
Every year, just a few weeks before the event, the Government tries it’s very best to present a modest road condition to tourists coming from all over the world. This year must be exceptionally challenging due to massive landslides that occurred in many parts of the national highway leading up to the event venue. Many Nagas, especially youths, have voiced their concerns in social media about the temporary beautification and development work, which they claim is ‘just to impress the tourists’. Some even went to the extent of calling for a boycott of the event this year. These voices must be heard. Why should development work be done temporarily, and only for an event? Isn’t it a Government’s primary responsibility to provide basic infrastructure to its people? Shouldn’t there be road construction and repair the whole year round? Shouldn’t there be 24-hour electricity and safe drinking water throughout the year?
When the Government provides basic needs especially infrastructure and connectivity, festival or no festival, the economy will flourish. Our land is blessed with unparalleled natural beauty, clean air, rich culture and amazing foods. All these are reasons for tourism to grow, especially when so many cities in India are becoming polluted, overpopulated and unsafe. Most tourism in the world today is flourishing on nature adventures and ethnic culture, and Nagaland abounds in these areas.
Another drawback of the Hornbill festival is the leading role taken by Government machinery. It has become a well-known fact that by late October many Government departments are so preoccupied with the festival that nothing else seems to be functioning effectively in their departments, which is rather bizarre and uncalled for. Won't it be better to let the private sector take the leading role? Especially because the event is primarily cultural and mainly for tourism purpose. We remember that Hornbill festival was born out of the successful Naga Week, which was entirely initiated and managed by Naga civil societies way back in 1993. All the various Naga tribes gathered in Kohima to celebrate the rich Naga culture and to claim the collective future we share as a people. So, we know that it is entirely possible to let the people – civil society or private sector facilitate the event. Of course, the Government’s role in providing infrastructure, connectivity and security is critical and cannot be replaced.
This festival could empower the private sector to learn and grow, and become a major contributing force to our State’s economy. When the private sector facilitates such a significant event, the process will naturally be profit-driven, and we will see significant revenue pumped into our economy. At the moment, we are only aware of how much money the government is spending for the event, and that the accumulated revenue seems clearly falling behind the expenses. I could be wrong, but any lay economist will tell us that government-sponsored events often lack the profit-making drive, which is so needed in low-income societies such as ours.
Using Hornbill Festival as the only major tourism attraction event is a huge mistake. Maybe this is the reason why some businesses are shamefully overpriced. When the only time of the year one can make some good money is this ten-day of Hornbill Festival, of course, there will be people who will try to make maximum profit out of it. Perhaps this is also the reason why there is always dissatisfaction with the numbers of tourists. If we are a land of festivals, and a land of abundant natural beauty, shouldn't our tourism industry be flourishing whole year round?
Having said that, I am still a proponent of this festival. I am always amazed at how every year more and more attractions are added to cater to the needs of all kinds of tourists and to extend participation of different talents from all levels of Naga society. Moreover, I totally support the inclusive participation of our neighboring States as active performers in various cultural activities.
How I only wish that the same energy and zeal of the Government and the people exist the whole year round, and not just for the Hornbill Festival.
I wish the festival yet another grand success.
