Nagaland, the land of the hospitable and warm Nagas, A place of ancient beauty, dazzling hills and the valleys lies on the edge of India - Myanmar border.
To celebrate the Statehood Day on 1st of December, the State Government of Nagaland started promoting the Nagaland Hornbill Festival, named after the Hornbill bird and tagged as Nagaland Hornbill Festival-Festival of Festivals. Hornbill Festival gives a glimpse of Naga life to cultural sensibilities.
The annual Hornbill Festival will be held on the 1st- 7th December every year at the Naga Heritage Village,Kisama. For the year 2013, it was held from 1st -10th December to celebrate the 50 years of State formation.
What to expect during the Hornbill festival
1. Dzukou Valley is known as one of the most charming Valleys of Nagaland.
Go for the Dzukou valley trek if you have enough time which is 15kms from Jakhama Village.
2.Going Around The Jakhama Village on the Kohima - Imphal highway close to the Hornbill Festival venue.
According to the people of Jakhama,thousands of Japanese soldiers, supported by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose camped in and around Jakhama before they captured Kohima from the Allied Forces during the second world war.
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3.Cultural Performances At Heritage Village,Kisama
The various Naga tribes who perform during the Hornbill Festival:
Angami,Ao,Chakhesang,Chang,Garo,Khiamnuingan,Konyak,Kuki,Kachari,Lotha,
Phom,Pochury,Rengma,Sumi,Sangtam,Yimchungru and Zeliang
These tribes show case their rich cultural and vibrant heritage with their performances
4.Greased Bamboo Pole Climbling
This traditional sport common among the Naga Tribes have to climb 10ft tall bamboo pole greased with pork fat.Participants can splash/rub mud on their body to create friction to make the climbing easier.But trust me, it was still very tough for the participants to climb.
5.Traditional Stone Pulling Ceremony at Viswema.
16000+ People Pulling the huge stone as part of the Traditional Naga Stone pulling ceremony.The terrian of these valleys makes this event more tough.
6.Naga Chilli Eating Competition-Because its the worlds hottest chilli
Worlds Hottest Chilli Eating Competition. The winner of this competition ate 18 1/2 Chillies.All the participants are provided with water,glucose and there is a doctor to attend in case of any emergency.
7.Traditional Naga Wrestling
Naga Wrestling is an indigenous form of wrestling.The bout starts with the contestants holding each other's waist girdles.Both the wrestlers try to throw off each other and a wrestler is declared winner if he throws off his opponent and in the process gets the trunk of the opponent to touch the ground.
8. A Visit To The First Green Village In India-Khonoma Village
We hired a taxi to Khonoma from Kohima taxi stand who normally charge around Rs 800-1000/-
Khonoma ‘Green Village’ is a Rs. 3 crore project .We started our tour around the village at the village junction near the church and climbed the hill and passed through the village gate.The view from the peak and those magnificent terrace paddy fields through the lower valley between the mountains is just beautiful.
Naga People are known for their hospitality.The man above at Khonoma welcomed us into his house and offered the traditional Naga Rice Beer.
9.Kohima War Cemetery
Kohima War Cemetery is a memorial in honour of those officers and soldiers killed during the World War II.
“When you go home, tell them of us, and say: ‘For your tomorrow, we gave our today.’
10.Because You Get The Best Naga Food
During the Stone pulling ceremony at Viswema , a feast is hosted by the local Naga people to all at the Viswema where all varities of Naga food is served for all(Rice,pork,Chicken,Worms,boiled vegetables,beans mix,Galho) and the authentic Rice beer.You can drink Unlimited :)
11.Because you'll always meet beautiful and friendly people
12.Rock Concert,Choir Competition,Musical festival at Naga Solidarity Park are the other reasons for everyone to come to Nagaland during Hornbill Festival.
Blog about Home Stay at Jakhama.
To celebrate the Statehood Day on 1st of December, the State Government of Nagaland started promoting the Nagaland Hornbill Festival, named after the Hornbill bird and tagged as Nagaland Hornbill Festival-Festival of Festivals. Hornbill Festival gives a glimpse of Naga life to cultural sensibilities.
The annual Hornbill Festival will be held on the 1st- 7th December every year at the Naga Heritage Village,Kisama. For the year 2013, it was held from 1st -10th December to celebrate the 50 years of State formation.
What to expect during the Hornbill festival
1. Dzukou Valley is known as one of the most charming Valleys of Nagaland.
 |
| The View of the Hills from our Home Stay at Jakhama |
Go for the Dzukou valley trek if you have enough time which is 15kms from Jakhama Village.
2.Going Around The Jakhama Village on the Kohima - Imphal highway close to the Hornbill Festival venue.
According to the people of Jakhama,thousands of Japanese soldiers, supported by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose camped in and around Jakhama before they captured Kohima from the Allied Forces during the second world war.
 |
| Buffalo Skulls in front of a house at Jakhama Village |
.
 |
| A Baptist Church at Jakhama Village |
3.Cultural Performances At Heritage Village,Kisama
The various Naga tribes who perform during the Hornbill Festival:
Angami,Ao,Chakhesang,Chang,Garo,Khiamnuingan,Konyak,Kuki,Kachari,Lotha,
Phom,Pochury,Rengma,Sumi,Sangtam,Yimchungru and Zeliang
These tribes show case their rich cultural and vibrant heritage with their performances
4.Greased Bamboo Pole Climbling
This traditional sport common among the Naga Tribes have to climb 10ft tall bamboo pole greased with pork fat.Participants can splash/rub mud on their body to create friction to make the climbing easier.But trust me, it was still very tough for the participants to climb.
The Participants also try to put the mud on the Greased pole to make it less slippery.
16000+ People Pulling the huge stone as part of the Traditional Naga Stone pulling ceremony.The terrian of these valleys makes this event more tough.
6.Naga Chilli Eating Competition-Because its the worlds hottest chilli
Worlds Hottest Chilli Eating Competition. The winner of this competition ate 18 1/2 Chillies.All the participants are provided with water,glucose and there is a doctor to attend in case of any emergency.
7.Traditional Naga Wrestling
Naga Wrestling is an indigenous form of wrestling.The bout starts with the contestants holding each other's waist girdles.Both the wrestlers try to throw off each other and a wrestler is declared winner if he throws off his opponent and in the process gets the trunk of the opponent to touch the ground.
8. A Visit To The First Green Village In India-Khonoma Village
We hired a taxi to Khonoma from Kohima taxi stand who normally charge around Rs 800-1000/-
Khonoma ‘Green Village’ is a Rs. 3 crore project .We started our tour around the village at the village junction near the church and climbed the hill and passed through the village gate.The view from the peak and those magnificent terrace paddy fields through the lower valley between the mountains is just beautiful.
Naga People are known for their hospitality.The man above at Khonoma welcomed us into his house and offered the traditional Naga Rice Beer.
9.Kohima War Cemetery
Kohima War Cemetery is a memorial in honour of those officers and soldiers killed during the World War II.
“When you go home, tell them of us, and say: ‘For your tomorrow, we gave our today.’
10.Because You Get The Best Naga Food
During the Stone pulling ceremony at Viswema , a feast is hosted by the local Naga people to all at the Viswema where all varities of Naga food is served for all(Rice,pork,Chicken,Worms,boiled vegetables,beans mix,Galho) and the authentic Rice beer.You can drink Unlimited :)
11.Because you'll always meet beautiful and friendly people
12.Rock Concert,Choir Competition,Musical festival at Naga Solidarity Park are the other reasons for everyone to come to Nagaland during Hornbill Festival.
Blog about Home Stay at Jakhama.
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