Hornbill Festival

News: The Nagaland government is organising the popular Hornbill festival from December 1 to December 10, 2024.

About Hornbill Festival

1. The Hornbill Festival is also referred to as the “Festival of Festivals” in Nagaland as it showcases the vibrant culture, language and traditions of the ethnic tribes of the state.

2. It is an annual festival celebrated for the first ten days of December. The festival coincides with the Statehood Day of Nagaland (1st December), which adds to its significance.

3. The festival is celebrated at the Kisama Heritage Village, located 12km south of Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.

4. It is named after the Hornbill Bird, which represents strength, vitality and respect for nature. The bird is also revered for its beauty and significance in local folklore, culture and customs.

5. The festival features an exhibition of Nagaland’s traditional art and handicrafts. The artisans display their works like wood carvings, textiles, jewelry.

6. It has enhanced the state’s tourism brand by attracting tourists from all over the world, promoting cultural heritage, food and cuisine, music and architecture of the state.

7. A key highlight of the festival is that it brings 17 major tribes of the state on a single platform, displaying their folk dances, rituals, traditional attire, music and culture.

Great Hornbill   In India, Great Hornbills are found in Western Ghats and Himalayas. Generally, they occupy the canopy of tall trees in evergreen and moist deciduous forests. They are mostly herbivores, feeding largely on fruits, figs, berries. Great Hornbill is the state bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh. Protection Status      IUCN: Vulnerable      WPA, 1972: Schedule 1