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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox holiday
|type = Asian Festival
|official_name = Hornbill Festival
|observedby = [[Naga people|Nagas]]
|longtype = Cultural
Information
|significance = To revive, protect, sustain, and promote the richness of the Naga heritage and traditions
|image = Hornbill Festival, Pix by Vikramjit Kakati.jpg
|caption = Nagas of Nagaland, India rehearsing their traditional dance during the Hornbill Festival
|date = 1 to 10 December
|frequency = Annual
}}

The '''Hornbill Festival''' is a celebration held every year from 1 to 10 December, in [[Nagaland]], [[Northeast India]].<ref name="Jaini">{{Cite web |first=Kshaunish |last=Jaini |title=Nagaland – Hiking and Hornbill Festival in India |date=6 January 2017 |publisher=Alien Adventure |url=https://blog.alienadv.com/nagaland-hiking-and-hornbill-festival-in-india/amp/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205210301/https://blog.alienadv.com/nagaland-hiking-and-hornbill-festival-in-india/amp/index.html |archive-date=5 December 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy |access-date=5 December 2017 }}</ref> It is also called the 'Festival of Festivals'.

== Background ==
[[File:Greater Indian Hornbill.jpg|thumb|Greater Indian hornbill.]]
[[File:Hornbil Festival, Kohima 6.jpg|thumb|Kachari women celebrating the Hornbill Festival.]]
The state of Nagaland is home to [[List of Naga tribes|several tribes]], which have their own [[Naga people#Festivals|distinct festivals]]. More than 60% of the population of Nagaland depends on agriculture and therefore most of their festivals revolve around agriculture. The Nagas consider their festivals sacred, so participation in these festivals is essential.<ref>[http://www.efi-news.com/2011/11/hornbill-festival-where-action-is.html Hornbill Festival - Where the Action is...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119052132/http://www.efi-news.com/2011/11/hornbill-festival-where-action-is.html |date=19 November 2011 }}, ''EF News International''. 16 November 2011.</ref>

To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. The first festival was held in 2000.<ref name="Hornbill Festival of Nagaland">[http://www.india-north-east.com/2011/11/the-hornbill-festival-of-nagaland.html Hornbill Festival of Nagaland], ''India-north-east.com''</ref>

The festival is named after the Indian [[hornbill]], the large and colourful forest bird which is displayed in the folklore of most of the state's tribes.

== Celebrations ==
[[File:Hornbill festival of nagaland.jpg|thumb|Naga tribesmen at Kisama during the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland.]]
Organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, the Hornbill Festival showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof. This festival usually takes place between 1 and 10 December every year in [[Kohima]].<ref name="Hornbill Festival of Nagaland" />

The Hornbill Festival is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions.<ref name="Jaini" />

For visitors it means a closer understanding of the people and culture of Nagaland, and an opportunity to experience the food, songs, dances and customs of Nagaland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hornbill Festival 2016 - December |work=Festivals of India |publisher=Pan India Internet |location=New Delhi |url=http://www.festivalsofindia.in/hornbill/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203052326/http://www.festivalsofindia.in/hornbill/ |archive-date=3 February 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy}}</ref>

On 1 December 2017 at the Naga Heritage Village of [[Kisama]], President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the 18th Hornbill Festival and State Formation Day celebrations of Nagaland.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Srivastava |first=Priya |title=Hornbill Festival 2017 – 73,090 people visit in three days |date=4 December 2017 |publisher=Happy Trips ([[Times Internet]]) |location=Gurgaon, India |url=https://www.happytrips.com/things-to-do/hornbill-festival-2017-73090-people-visit-in-three-days/as61914632.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205204247/https://www.happytrips.com/things-to-do/hornbill-festival-2017-73090-people-visit-in-three-days/as61914632.cms |archive-date=5 December 2017|url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref>

==Festival activities==
The week-long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies. Traditional arts which include paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures are also on display.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120716160008/http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?670354 Nagaland's Hornbill Festival Goes International. Outlook India.com. 1 December 2009.]</ref>

Festival highlights include the traditional [[Naga people#Morung system|Naga Morungs]] exhibition and the sale of arts and crafts, food stalls, herbal medicine stalls, flower shows and sales, cultural medley - songs and dances, fashion shows, the [[Miss Nagaland]] beauty contest, traditional archery, Naga wrestling, indigenous games, and musical concert.<ref name="Jaini" />

The Hornbill Festival provides a colourful mixture of dances, performances, crafts, parades, games, sports, food fairs and religious ceremonies. The festival both exposes the culture and tradition of tribal peoples, and reinforces Nagaland’s identity as a unique state in India’s federal union. Experts have commented that A lot of older folk in the villages travel to Kohima to attend this festival and meet people from other villages from Nagaland because they haven’t met before, hence leading to cultural assimilation.<ref name="' A window to the northeast'">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/A-window-to-the-North-East/article14626697.ece |title=' A window to the northeast' |publisher=The Hindu |date=1 November 2016 |accessdate=2017-03-21}}</ref>

Traditional arts are also featured, with paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures by modern Naga artists on display. Naga troupes sing folk songs, perform traditional dances and play indigenous games and sports. In the evenings a programme of music concerts, catering for all tastes, ensures that the festive spirit continues through the night.<ref name="Jaini" /> One of the major highlights of this festival is the Hornbill International Rock Festival, which is held at Indira Gandhi Stadium; local and international rock bands perform.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Hornbill Festival 2015 - Hornbill Rock Contest|url = http://www.hornbillfestival.com/index.php/events/hornbill-rock-contest|website = www.hornbillfestival.com|accessdate = 2015-12-12}}</ref>

==Economic potential==
The Hornbill Festival has contributed significantly to enhancing the state's tourism brand. Tourism promoters believe that the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland allows tourists to have an insight into the different tribes of [[Nagaland]].<ref name="' A window to the northeast'"/> It fosters understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the state, its resourceful architecture and its ethnic cuisine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Ignore-the-potholes-enjoy-the-ride/article14021341.ece |title='Ignore the potholes, enjoy the ride' |publisher=The Hindu |date=22 January 2016 |accessdate=2017-01-17}}</ref>

==Festival Ground==
{{wide image|Hornbill Festival.jpg|1100px|Naga tribe performing their traditional dance on Hornbill Festival Ground|align-cap=center}}

==Camping Facility==
Camping facility available near the Hornbill Festival event area organised by local tour operator Camp Zingaros.<ref>{{cite web |title=Discover Northeast: Camp Zingaros |url=https://www.discovernortheast.in/tours/hornbill-festival-tour/ |website=Discover Northeast |accessdate=26 October 2019}}</ref>
<gallery>
Hornbil-2018-3.jpg|Camp site at Hornbill Festival at Kisama, Kohima, Nagaland by Camp Zongaros
Hornbill Festival 2018.jpg|Hornbill Festival
Hornbil-2018.jpg|A camp site at Hornbill Festival, Kisama, Kohima, Nagaland by Camp Zongaros
File:Bodo-Kachari 2.jpg|Bodo-Kachari Tribe-women at Hornbill Festival
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Tourism in North East India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Hornbill Festival}}
* [http://reviewne.com/the-hornbill-festival-nagaland Hornbill Festival]
* {{Official website|http://www.hornbillfestival.com/}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuvbpdZUKFU YouTube clip]
*Tourists to Nagaland require a permit to visit the state.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Inner Line Permit {{!}} Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, North East India|url = http://mdoner.gov.in/content/inner-line-permit|website = mdoner.gov.in|accessdate = 2015-12-12}}</ref>

[[Category:Festivals in Nagaland]]
[[Category:Naga people]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Nagaland]]
[[Category:December events]]
[[Category:Kohima]]

Hornbill Festival - Revision history

>Serols at 08:09, 9 February 2021