Nagaland's Governor R.N. Ravi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rioare set to inaugurate the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland today. This period hasmarked the 20th year of the Hornbill festival, being celebrated in Kisamavillage near state capital Kohima. The festival starting today is scheduled toculminate on 10th of December.
The inaugural function will take place at 4:00 PM. Traditionalblessing will be pronounced by Mongtei of Aniashu village. During the inauguralfunction all the cultural troupes are to line up both sides from the main gateto the Main Rostrum to welcome the guests.
Organized by the state government, Hornbill Festival is anannual tourism promotional event to showcase Nagaland's traditional and richcultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur.
The Hornbill Festival is a collaborative celebration of all Naga tribes at one venue and has been coined as the ' Festival of festivals.
The festival is a tribute to the great 'Hornbill ' which isthe most admired and revered bird for the Naga's, for its quality of alertnessand grandeur.
The majestic bird is closely identified with the social and cultural life of the Nagas as reflected in various tribal folklores, dances, and songs. The awe and admiration of the bird is symbolically displayed on almost all tribal traditional headgears worn during the festivals and it's indicative of the unity of the Nagas.
