Kisama | December 7: Sounds of war cries, dances, bon-fire marked the grand finale of the weeklong Hornbill festival of Nagaland here this evening. In the closing ceremony, all the cultural troupes joined in the “Unity Dance” around the bon-fire led by Ao tribe with dance chants and intermittent yodeling and yelling of war cries.
“Unity Dance” signified a sign of oneness, unity and strength in our march towards unity, progress and prosperity. Visitors also joined the open “Hornbill Dance” with the tribal cultural troupes.
Officially declaring the 12th edition of Hornbill Festival 2011 ‘Closed,’ Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Yitachu thanked the visitors and the participants in making the festival a grand success. He asserted that their active participation has made the festival a grand success and put Nagaland in the world map. Yitachu gave away certificates, Christmas cakes to all the cultural troupes. Yitachu led the lighting of traditional bon-fire along with Miss Nagaland 2011 Vetolü Dawhuo and Commissioner & Secretary for Tourism I. Himato Zhimomi.
The Kuki tribe bagged the “Cleanest Morung’ award. The weeklong festival, started on December 1, was marked by arts and crafts exhibition, food stalls, herbal medicine stalls, flower shows, cultural medley - songs and dances, fashion show, Miss Nagaland Beauty Pageant, traditional archery, Naga wrestling, indigenous games, Hornbill international motor rally, Hornbill international photo fest, kids carnival, musical concert, Naga chilli eating competition, Airtel presents Hornbill National Rock Contest, Kohima Open Half Marathon, greased bamboo pole climbing, top spinning, pork fat eating contest, night bazaar, World War II vintage car rally, literature fest, Hornbill Glocal film fest, Hornbill ball, Hornbill fashion nite, Choral Panorama, music festival, North East Cultural Day, North East India drum ensemble, Konyak fire eating demonstration, archery competition, Miss & Master Kids Carnival, and many more,
The annual Hornbill Festival aims to encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage. It also aims to revive and protect the rich culture and display its extravaganza and traditions. The Hornbill festival is named after the Hornbill, the globally respected bird and which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes.
