A vendor outside the main stall venue.
Meribeni Kikon
Kohima | December 10
Vendors situated outside the main venue at the Hornbill Festival in Kisama Heritage Village are grappling with various difficulties, ranging from inconsistent sales to the discomfort of working without proper shelter. Among them are vendors selling a variety of snacks, including momo chow, beef skins, pappad, chips, and traditional fast foods like chana mix and gooseberry pickles.
One vendor, a 57-year-old from Kohima, spoke about the challenges of operating outside the main festival grounds, noting that although sales have been satisfactory, they are not as high as expected. She mentioned that the absence of a stall and the lack of a shed for protection from the elements made her work conditions difficult, particularly during the cold evenings. "It’s so cold at night," she said, revealing that she typically arrives in the afternoon, around 1 or 2 PM, as this is when foot traffic peaks and sales are more likely to increase.
With no access to private transport due to restrictions, many vendors, including this one, are relying on shuttle buses to reach the venue. Despite these challenges, the vendor reports earning a modest profit of Rs 1,000 per day after covering expenses, with her daily charges amounting to Rs 100.
For many of these first-time participants, the experience is a learning curve. While they are optimistic about future festivals, some are already considering trying to secure stalls inside the venue next year for a more stable and profitable experience. However, despite the setbacks, the vendors continue to display resilience, hoping that their presence at the festival will eventually lead to more opportunities and better sales in the future.
