Tucked away in India’s North-East lies Nagaland, the stage for a thrilling 10-day festival high up in the mountains. In the first week of December the State’s 16 major tribes come together to celebrate their culture, heritage, and traditions in a vibrant tapestry of colourful costumes, pulsating rhythm, and musical stories at the Hornbill Festival held at the heritage village of Kisama, 12 kilometres from the capital, Kohima.
The festival that began in 2000 is named after the hornbill, a culturally significant bird that symbolises fidelity, beauty and grace in Naga folklore and ritual. The event includes an exhibition of crafts and handloom products, and a food festival featuring Naga cuisine.
