Hornbill Festival of Nagaland serves as the best introduction to the traditional and cultural montage of Nagaland. 

This breathtaking celebration of life, culture, cuisine and tribes of Nagaland, is the most colourful extravaganza in North-East India. Amongst the myriad number of festivals in India, the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland has earned the Title – ” The Festival of Festivals “.

What is the Hornbill Festival  of Nagaland ? 

The Hornbill Festival is an experiential representation of all the ethnic tribes under the same roof – wherein the 17 indigenous warrior tribes of Nagaland showcase their music, dance, art, food, attire, traditional sports and much more.

There are Morungs or huts in the festive ground representing each tribe and every morning there is a cultural show introducing all the tribes – thereby bringing you a step closer to all the cultures followed in Nagaland.

The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland is an annual 10 days cultural spectacle held in the first week of December. Attending the festival gives you an insight of the grand cultural diversity of the ethnic tribes.

Organised by the State Government, the Hornbill Festival aims to encourage inter-tribal interaction and harmony, thereby giving the tourists an opportunity to experience the Naga way of life.

The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland unveils the cultural canvas of Nagaland and North-East India to the outer world, while also making a positive impact on tourism of the state.

If you want to know more about the upcoming Hornbill Festival in 2023 then please visit this blog:- Experience Hornbill Festival 2023: A Vibrant Celebration!

Why is the Hornbill Festival celebrated ?

The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland is named after the bird – The Hornbills, who is a symbol of ” Respect ” and ” Folklore ”  among the Nagas.

Feathers of the Hornbills were used for decoration in the headgears of the Naga warriors and people – a culture that is deeply ingrained. Ironically, the Hornbills were almost extinct in Nagaland due to excessive hunting and killing. 

The government tried to persuade the tribes to use fake feathers instead of killing the birds, but did not quite find success.

However, with time, the local community understood the importance of preservation of the wildlife along with the conservation of the hornbills. 

Ways were thought to turn these predators into protectors and naming the festival as the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland was one of the steps in the process.

Incepted in the year 2000, this nascent project of the state government – for promoting diverse culture prevailing in different parts of Nagaland has managed to attract tourists globally.

The Colourful Warrior Tribes of Nagaland

The 17 indigenous tribes that take part in the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland are – 

• Angami
• Ao
• Chakhesang
• Chang
• Dimasa Kachari
• Garo
• Khiamniungan
• Konyak
• Kuki
• Lotha
• Phom
• Pochury
• Rengma
• Sangtam
• Sumi
• Yumchungru and 
• Zeme-Liangmai (Zeliang)

Each tribe has their own customs, festivals, language, attire and culture. There are sub-tribes as well having their own dialects.

Where is the Hornbill Festival celebrated ?

The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is celebrated in the foothills of Mount Japfu, wherein lies the official venue of the event – The Kisama Heritage Village.

The Naga Heritage Village, Kisama is around 13 – 17 kms ahead from the state capital, Kohima. One can avail shared taxis from Kohima to Kisama.

When is the Hornbill Festival celebrated ?

The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is a 10 days cultural extravaganza. The festival starts from December 1 (Nagaland Statehood Day) and extends till December 10.

This remote lackadaisical land of the brave warriors and hunters with plethora of green gets lively and vibrant during these 10 festive days.

Hornbill Festival in India is held every year to encourage, nurture and promote the rich, vibrant and diverse culture of the Naga tribes and people. 

How to reach the Kisama Heritage Village – The Official Venue ?

To attend the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, one should first reach Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland.

• How to reach Kohima ?

The best way to reach Kohima is to take a flight or train to Dimapur and then take a taxi or bus to Kohima.

• Travelling from Kohima to Kisama

Taxis are easily available throughout the day from Kohima to Kisama, especially during the days of Hornbill Festival in Nagaland.

Accomodations for Hornbill Festival in India :

During the Hornbill Festival, the state receives a lot of tourists from around the world. 

People attending the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland have multiple accommodation options to choose – from luxury hotels to budget hostels at Kohima as well as Dimapur. Hotel rooms usually fill up quite fast as the festival approaches, so always book in advance.

Homestays are also made available for the tourists in Kigwema village, at an easy walking distance from the venue. 

If one finds solace under millions stars and listening to the winds whisper, enjoy camping in the wilderness with bonfire, music and good people around.

Hornbill Festival of Nagaland : Intriguing activities and events

The Hornbill Festival is the most boisterous fiesta. One would headlong into this jamboree mix festival of music, dance, games, arts and a series of competitions.

The show starts at around 9:30 am everyday and the order of events are usually the same.

There is no dearth of things to do in Hornbill Festival of Nagaland.

• Visit the community Morungs and buy souvenir :

The traditional Naga Morungs exhibition in the Hornbill Festival – represents the brilliant vernacular architecture.

Inside these Morungs, one can see elders of the community sitting around a central fireplace.

Men and women in their colourful and resplendent attire are found outside the Morungs. They make stalls to sell their handicrafts, jewellery, attires, decorative items and food items.

Wandering around these makeshift Morungs in Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, gives us an insight to their lifestyle. 

Infact, this is the place where the tourists spend their maximum time during Hornbill Festival in Nagaland.

• Indulge in a conversation with the different tribes

While visiting a Morung,  strike up a conversation with the different tribal communities about their lifestyle, culture, dialects etc. 

The first day of the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland is the best time to have a conversation with the people as the cultural performances for the first day are usually in the evening and everyone is in a happy mood.

• Enjoy cultural performances from the Amphitheatre :

The cultural performances at the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is the star attraction. Everyday, the 17 ethnic tribes showcase their traditional dance and songs in the festive grounds.

Each of the tribal community performs their folk dance while narrating briefly about the dance and the occasion they are celebrating. The dancers wear colourful resplendent attires along with stunning headgears. 

The dances accompanied by eclectic folk music, will transcend all boundaries. 

One will surely be enthralled and amazed by the well synchronized choreography and you will understand why Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is known as ” The Festival of Festivals “.

Hornbill Festival in India not only showcases the traditional dances of Nagaland, but also the dances from other North-eastern states. 

• Taste the traditional Naga delicacies : 

The Morungs in the festive grounds is a paradise for the non-vegetarian food lovers. Here, one can taste the traditional Naga cuisines prepared by each of the tribes.

Food items of various pork preparations, chicken with bamboo shoot, brown rice, rice cakes, beef pickles and a variety of chutneys are available for your gastronomical adventure.

One shouldn’t miss the various food competitions – Naga chilli eating, pork eating contest etc. that are held at the Hornbill Festival.

The local farmers display their local produce like the tomatoes, carrots, lemons, pineapple and oranges in abundance. 

• Taste and buy the exotic wines :

Packaged like wines from any well-known wineries, the local wines at the Morungs are a stand out at the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland.

Every tribe has their own local made rice beer, with a varied taste served in bamboo mugs. After having tasted the Naga cuisines, one can enjoy the local rice beer.

• Enjoy Music and Rock concerts :

The Hornbill Music Festival also known as The Experiential Festival, is an offshoot of the main event that takes place at Dimapur and Kohima. This musical event includes live concerts by international artists and a competition of rock bands from all over India vying for a good prize.

Earlier the show was hosted in the Kisama Heritage Village but from 2017, only live concerts are held at Kisama and the multiple rock concerts are organized at different venues of Dimapur and Kohima.

If you love swinging in the tunes of different bands, this music festival is a colossal experience to your untamed heart and mind. 

Travel Tips for Hornbill Festival in India :

• Nights are cold and temperature drops down to around 5 – 6°C or even less. Make sure you carry your woolens, jackets, gloves, caps, socks and others adequately.

• Carry comfortable walking shoes as you have to walk a lot in the  festival venue.

• If you opt for camping, bring your own sleeping bags, pillows, towel, torch and other equipment that you feel necessary.

• Carry cash as there is no swiping facility available inside the venue and every payment is done via cash.

• Even if you do not like something, according to your taste at the grounds, be respectful to the tribes and the people. They are showcasing their cultural heritage and everyone has their right to practice their rituals and follow their traditions.

Enthralling roller coasters : Places to visit during the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland

If you happen to travel Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival in India, we would strongly counsel you not to miss out on the below mentioned destinations. 

• Kohima

Kohima, the nearest city to the Hornbill Festival grounds is a quaint town that deserves your attention.

The ample number of cafes in Kohima – will provide you a chance to taste the modern versions of the traditional Naga cuisines. One can also sample the coffee made from local grown beans in Nagaland.

A walk round the Kohima Night Markets tells a lot about the urban life of this hilly tribal state of Nagaland. The WWII Cemetery gives us a glimpse of the bygone days.

• Khonoma

Khonoma is said to be Asia’s first green village. This land is an example of how poachers turned into protectors and are now working towards preserving the ecosystem.

This heritage village of Nagaland holds the real-life Morungs in its kitty. One can splunk the agricultural practices and the weaving techniques of Nagaland.

You can also explore the nearby villages of Jakhama, Touphema and Dzuleke. All these villages are within 20 km from the capital city – Kohima.

• Dzukou Valley

Dzukou Valley – The masterpiece of emerald green rolling valley is one of the easiest and shortest treks in North-East India. The trek starts at 20 km from Kohima and 10 km from Kisama, the venue of the Hornbill Festival.

The trek is breathtakingly beautiful and must be included in one’s bucket list during their visit to the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. 

• Pfutsero

Pfutsero is the highest altitude town and the coldest inhabited place in Nagaland with temperature dropping below zero degree celsius during the winter nights.

Located about 60 km away from Kohima and 40 km from Kisama – the main attraction of this village is its Cherry Blossoms.