On Thursday, during the fourth day of the ten‑day Hornbill Festival, the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, just about 12 km south of Kohima, pulsed with music, dance and performance.
The festivities were staged at Unity Plaza and guided by Minister for Rural Development and SIRD Metsubo Jamir, who opened the programme, with Ihor co‑host Mhathung Yanthan, Agriculture Advisor. Special guests at the event were Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh and Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (NER) Surabhi Varma Garg, representing Guwahati.
The day’s showcase displayed a colorful array of traditional acts from many Naga communities. The Konyak troupe presented Alea‑Boa, a dance linked to the Aoleang festival that marks the New Year after the sowing season. The Sumi performers staged Aphilo Kuwo, a warrior dance that recalls the bravery of fighters from the headhunting era. The Kuki group performed Khulkon Lam, telling the legendary migration of the Chin‑Kuki‑Mizo people from the underground realm to the surface in search of fertile land. Meanwhile, the Phom ensemble delivered Moolum Shou, a powerful lament that channels vengeance and joy following a triumph over foes.
Troupes from the Rengma, Pochury, Tikhir, Lotha, Sangtam, Yimkhiung, Zeliang, Angami, Ao, Chang, Khiamniungan, Garo, and Chakhesang communities joined the lineup, each bringing their own customary performances.
The finale featured the Kachari group’s Swdwmsri Mwsanai, a dance that embodies the mythical mastery over all folk dances and highlights women’s role in preserving cultural knowledge. At the festival’s opening ceremony in the evening, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the host of the event, remarked that the Hornbill Festival encapsulates the Nagas’ way of life, showcasing unity, a shared heritage, and respect for ancestors.
More than 86 % of Nagaland’s population, which was around two million in 2011, belongs to tribal groups. With 17 principal tribes and countless sub‑tribes, the state boasts a rich tapestry of dances, music, attire and customs. For this 26th edition, the festival partners with Austria, France, Ireland, Malta, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and state partner Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing regional cooperation.
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