HORNBILL FESTIVAL
-
The festival, named after the revered Hornbill bird, celebrates the rich culture, heritage, cuisine, and customs of the Naga tribes, bringing tribal communities together to honor their traditions through colorful dance performances.
-
This annual event provides a common platform for all 17 tribes of Nagaland, enabling them to showcase and promote their cultural heritage to a global audience.
-
The festival is a lively and dynamic celebration, with warriors donning ceremonial attire and performing traditional dances and war cries. Each performance narrates stories of triumphs, harvests, love, and tribal folklore. The warriors, with their unique headgear embellished with hornbill feathers, boar tusks, and vibrant woven sashes, create a truly captivating and unforgettable spectacle
-
The Great Hornbill resides in primary evergreen and moist deciduous forests, predominantly occupying the canopy of tall trees.
-
Classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, it receives protection under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
-
In India, Great Hornbills are primarily found in the Western Ghats and along the Himalayas. Notably, it is recognized as the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala.
-
Fascinatingly, India hosts nine species of hornbills, with the northeastern region boasting the richest diversity of these birds in the country
-
Nagaland was formally established as the 16th state of India on December 1, 1963. It shares borders with Assam to the west, Myanmar (Burma) to the east, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam to the north, and Manipur to the south.
-
The state bird of Nagaland is the Blyth’s tragopan, while the Mithun is recognized as the state animal of both Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
-
Nagaland is divided into 16 administrative districts, which are home to 17 major tribes along with numerous sub-tribes. Each tribe is characterized by its unique customs, languages, and traditional attire, highlighting their distinct identities.
-
Some of Nagaland’s notable Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products include the Naga tree tomato, Naga cucumber, and Naga Mircha.
-
The state has several protected areas, including Intanki National Park, Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pulie Badze Wildlife Sanctuary.
-
Nagaland is renowned for its vibrant festivals that showcase its cultural richness. Each tribe celebrates its own distinct festivals, most of which are centered around agriculture, a vital part of Naga society, as over 85% of the population depends on farming for their livelihood
- Angami
- Ao
- Chakhesang
- Chang
- Khiamniungan
- Kuki
- Konyak
- Kachari
- Lotha
- Phom
- Pochury
- Rengma
- Sumi
- Sangtam
- Tikhir
- Yimkhiung
- Zeliang
| Sl. No. | Tribe | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angami | Sekrenyi |
| 1 | Angami | Terhünyi |
| 2 | Ao | Moatsu |
| 2 | Ao | Tsungremmong |
| 3 | Chakhesang | Sökrönye |
| 3 | Chakhesang | Tsukhenie |
| 4 | Chang | Poang Lüm |
| 4 | Chang | Kundaglün |
| 4 | Chang | Naknyulüm |
| 5 | Khiamniungan | Khaozaosie–Hok–Ah |
| 5 | Khiamniungan | Biam |
| 5 | Khiamniungan | Tsokum |
| 6 | Kuki | Mimkut |
| 6 | Kuki | Chavang Kut |
| 7 | Konyak | Aoleang |
| 7 | Konyak | Lao–Ong Mo |
| 8 | Kachari | Bishu |
| 9 | Lotha | Tokhu Emong |
| 10 | Phom | Monyu |
| 11 | Pochury | Yemshe |
| 12 | Rengma | Ngada |
| 13 | Sumi | Tuluni |
| 13 | Sumi | Apikimti |
| 13 | Sumi | Ahuna |
| 14 | Sangtam | Tsohsu |
| 14 | Sangtam | Hunapongpi |
| 14 | Sangtam | Mongmong |
| 15 | Tikhir | Kuhlang–Nyi |
| 15 | Tikhir | Tsonglak–Nyi |
| 16 | Yimkhiung | Wangtsunuo |
| 16 | Yimkhiung | Metemneo |
| 17 | Zeliang | Mileinyi |
| 17 | Zeliang | Langsimnyi |
|
For Prelims: Hornbill Festival, Great Hornbill
For Mains: GS I - Art & Culture
|
