Nagaland kicks off Hornbill Festival with pride and pomp

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, inspects a Guard of Honour at Assam Riffles Training Centre High School at Sukhovi, outskirt of Dimapur, Nagaland on Friday, 08 December 2017. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of all the sixteen tribes of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organises the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. The festival was first held in the year 2000. It is named after the Indian hornbill, the large and colourful bird which is much admired by the tribes of the state. Hornbill festival is held at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, some twelve kilometers away from the state capital, Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. For visitors the festival offers an opportunity to understand the tribal culture of Nagaland. The traditional Naga Morungs and the sale of indigenous artifacts provide additional attraction. (Photo by Subhendu Sarkar/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Naga tribesmen from Phochury tribe perform a dance during the Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, some 12 Kms away from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. The annual Hornbill Festival which is celebrated from December 1-10 celebrates the cultural heritages of the Nagas. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Naga tribesmen from Chakheshang tribe perform an art of wrestling during the Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, some 12 Kms away from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. The annual Hornbill Festival which is celebrated from December 1-10 celebrates the cultural heritages of the Nagas. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Naga tribesmen from Sumi tribe perform a dance during the Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, some 12 Kms away from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Naga tribesmen from Rengma tribe perform a dance during the Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, some 12 Kms away from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Naga tribesmen from Yimchunger tribe a dance during the annual Hornbill festival at the Naga Heritage village Kisama, some 12 kms away from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A Naga tribesman looks on as he watches other performance during the Hornbill festival at the Naga Heritage village Kisama, some 12 kms away from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Naga tribesmen perform a cultural dance on the last day of the 10 day long Hornbill festival at the Naga Heritage village Kisama, some 12 kms away from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. The Hornbill Festival which celebrates from December 1-10 celebrates the cultural heritage of the Nagas. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Naga tribesmen perform a cultural dance on the third day of the state annual Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage village Kisama, some 12 kms away from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Naga tribesman from Sangtam tribe performs a traditional folk dance during the state annual Hornbill Festival at Kisama, some 12 kms away from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. (Photo by Caisii Mao/NurPhoto) (Photo by NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)