Dhansiripar Cultural Troupe performing the Baimaijai folk dance at the 17th Bishu Mini Hornbill Tribal Festival 2024 in Dhansiripar, Chümoukedima, on January 27. (Morung Photo)
Bishu Mini Hornbill Tribal Festival in Dhansiripar
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 27
The Bishu Mini Hornbill Tribal Festival 2024, of the Dimasa Kachari, began in Dhansiripar, Chümoukedima on January 27. The two-day festival is being organised by the Dimasa Public Organisation, Nagaland (DPON) at the Dhansiripar Government High School playground where Er Kropol Vitsu, Advisor for Prisons, Printing and Stationery was invited as the special guest. Savi Liegise, former President of the Naga Council, Dimapur was the guest of honour.
Bishu is a traditional festival celebrated by the Dimasa Kachari in the month of January after the harvesting of crops. It is the 17th year since the festival was recognised as one of the official festivals of Nagaland in 2007.
Addressing the festival crowd, Er Vitsu regarded the Dimasa Kachari as one of the earliest indigenous inhabitants in the northeast region of India, a community that is rooted in tradition. While stating that it was comforting to see the Dimasa continuing to proudly preserve and practice its cultural traditions, he added that, by doing so, the community is protecting its identity as a people.
As one of the official traditional festivals of Nagaland, he added that the Bishu signifies the diversity of the state and called for upholding the spirit of harmony while jointly endeavouring for the better.
While the Hornbill festival has brought Nagaland on the tourist map, he said that it has also made Nagaland and its diversity better known to a wider audience in the country. He said that there was a time when people outside of the NE region had not an idea of the state’s existence and those who heard of the name imagined it as a foreign country. However, he said that it is changing today.
Savi Liegise expressed happiness at witnessing the Kachari people preserving their identity and celebrating their rich heritage. He said that India, known for its cultural diversity, is home to Nagaland, a state that also embraces it diverse cultures.
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