Hornbill festival comes to an end
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Kohima, December 10 2013: The 10-day long The Hornbill Festival formally concluded today at 4 pm at The Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, off Kohima with nearly two lakh visitors visited the place.

According to Nagaland Tourism department, 1,62,318 visitors, including 1347 foreign tourists visited the festival this year.

Meanwhile, with the 'Unity Dance' by different troupes at 4 pm, the gala festival came to an end formally.

It can be recalled here that on December 1, President of India Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the event followed by Cultural extravaganza 'Culturally Yours' presented by XL.

Chief Angh of Hongphoi village, Buwang Konyak gave the traditional blessing before the start of the inaugural function.

Organised by the State Government, Hornbill festival is an Annual Tourism promotional event to showcase Nagaland's Traditional and rich cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur.

It is the coming together of all the elements that make up the total Nagaland.

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 is the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas, for its qualities of alertness and 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 fascination for the bird is symbolically displayed on almost all tribal traditional headgears worn during the festival and is indicative of the unity of the Naga.

The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is a cultural extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga Heritage, while for the visitors to this event, it is a means for a comprehensive understanding of Naga People, their land and culture.

Over the years, the Hornbill Festival has gained in stature and scale.

It has now become a unique platform for the tourist to witness the cultural diversity not only of the Nagas but the seven other sister states of North East India in all its wonder and glory.

Usually the festival is a 7-day affairs but going by the overwhelming response worldwide, the Neiphiu Rio government had extended this year's Hornbill Festival to 10 days.

The 2013 Hornbill Festival had witnessed a strong presence of The Great Britan.

Diplomats from several countries had also participated this year's gala event, The Hornbill Festival.Bands from Korea had also performed in the 10-day long event.

Corporate world leaders from Yamaha, Airtel, JK Tyres and many others too participated in The Hornbill Festival.

Motor Sports was sponsored by JK Tyres, Music Festival was sponsored by Roland and Yamaha and Rock Show was sponsored by Airtel.

There were new items in this year's Hornbill Festival.

The Film Festival, Hornbil Dance Competition, Hornbill Master Chef Competition and many others.

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