Hornbil festival highlights Nagalands socio-cultural panorama

Tourists from across the country and abroad thronged Nagaland for the annual Hornbill festival held recently.

By Gautam and Vibou

Kohima, Dec 9 : Tourists from across the country and abroad thronged Nagaland for the annual Hornbill festival held recently.

The festival is organised to showcase the cultural mosaic and the rich heritage of Nagaland.The state government organises the week-long festival every year to promote tourism and highlight the socio-cultural panorama of Nagaland.

All Naga tribes unite to celebrate the occasion, which is also a tribute to the hornbill, the most revered bird of the Nagas.

Hornbill is closely associated with the social and cultural life of the Nagas, as reflected in the tribal folklore, dances and songs.

The traditional tribal headgear worn during the festivals also reflects how much the bird is cherished.

Over the years, the event has gained in its stature and vision, becoming a unique platform for tourists to witness the cultural diversity of Nagaland.

With the prevalence of peace in the State more and more tourists are visiting it. This year around 500 foreign tourists visited the State during the festival.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said: "The Hornbill festival is organised by the government and the entire Naga civil society comes together to make this event a success."

With the Indian government's Look East Policy bringing the ASEAN nations closer to the North East, the inflow of foreign tourists will bring prosperity to the picturesque state.

ANI