Hornbill Festival in Nagaland – Have You Been Yet?

Every year in early December, the tribes of Nagaland gather at Kisama village near Kohima to celebrate the colorful Hornbill Festival. Named after the majestic bird which is revered in tribal folklore and bound closely with social traditions across the state, the 10-day cultural extravaganza showcases dance, music, food, sports and handicrafts.

The Hornbill Festival serves to preserve and promote the rich heritage of the Naga tribes. For visitors like Manuela and Stefano from Milano – Italy, the colorful performances and ceremonies offer a closer look at the local people and their way of life. Some popular highlights include ethnic food stalls, herbal medicine stalls, traditional archery, Naga wrestling and other indigenous games.

Another highlight of Manuela and Stefano’s tour included a stop in Ziro. Located in Lower Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh, this highly fertile valley is home to the Apatani, an ethnically distinct tribe whose relationship with nature lies at the heart of its cultural identity. And finally, to round off their trip, our guests enjoyed an early morning elephant ride in Kaziranga National Park, Assam.

Travel with Holiday Scout – with us, every minute is a journey of a lifetime.