Stunning Surge: Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival Captivates Over 86,000 Enthusiastic Visitors in Just Five Days
The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, celebrating its silver jubilee, witnessed an impressive turnout in its first five days, drawing over 86,000 attendees to the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama. Toka E Tuccumi, Joint Director of Tourism, highlighted that this 10-day event, known as the “festival of festivals,” commenced on December 1. It has successfully attracted 86,640 visitors, which included 1,715 foreigners, 22,546 domestic tourists, and 62,379 locals, underscoring its status as a major tourism promotion initiative by the state government.
On the festival’s fifth day, the audience was treated to vibrant traditional performances from 18 recognized tribes under the theme “Cultural Connect,” organized by the Department of Art and Culture during morning hours. Adding to the cultural exchange, Sikkim, as a partner state this year, showcased its own cultural heritage.
A highlight of the festival was the Naga tug-of-war competition, conducted by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports. Tribal participants, adorned in traditional attire, competed fiercely, leaving spectators enthralled. The Angami tribe emerged victorious in both the men’s and women’s categories, while the Garo and Konyak tribes secured the second and third places in men’s, and the Sangtam and Kachari tribes followed suit in the women’s category.
The festival’s attractions extend beyond cultural showcases and indigenous games, with visitors enjoying the Hornbill International Music Festival each evening. Organized by the Task Force for Music and Arts, the music festival features performances from international, national, and local artists, beginning daily at 5 pm at the main venue.
Activities are not confined to Kisama alone but have expanded to at least four other districts—Dimapur, Phek, Wokha, and Zunheboto—enhancing the festival’s reach and impact across Nagaland. This broad distribution of events signifies the festival’s significant role in promoting cultural diversity and tourism in the region.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/nagaland/story/nagalands-hornbill-festival-attracts-over-86000-visitors-in-first-five-days-1133289-2024-12-06?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2024-12-06 09:28:00
