Mukherjee to inaugurate 'Hornbill Festival' in Nagaland

President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the 10-day-long Hornbill Festival and take part in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the statehood of Nagaland on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference here, State Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Tourism, Himato Zhimomi said, over 1000 foreign and more than 10,000 domestic tourists from rest of the country as well as over two lakh visitors from within the state are expected to attend this year's festival.

He said Thailand's Tourism Minister, Governors and Chief Ministers of the eight north east states and visitors from South Asian countries, including Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea and Singapore will attend the festival.

The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is one of the biggest cultural extravaganzas in the North East. It seeks to revive, protect, sustain, and promote the richness of the Naga heritage and traditions.

The festivities will not only showcase the rich tradition and culture of the Naga tribes, but also have various other events for the young and the old alike.

The Hornbill Festival is an annual, week-long cultural extravaganza held every year in the first week of December in Nagaland. It is named after the Great Indian Hornbill bird, which is abundant in the region.

Nagaland, is practically a land of festivals with each of their numerous tribes celebrating their own festivals and to promote the rich cultural heritage, the Government Of Nagaland organizes the festival starting on December 1, the Nagaland Formation day.

Fondly known as the "Festival of festivals", the annual event was conceived as a tourism promotion activity at Kisama, which is about 10 kms from the capital Kohima.

The location is called Naga Heritage Village at Kisama, where one can enjoy the Naga lifestyle and culture, food, music and tradition of each of those 18-20 clans, all at the at same place.

Besides the usual showcasing of Naga dance, music, art, ethnic foods, handlooms and handicrafts, many other interesting contests and activities are organized.