Celebration of festival of festivals starts at Kisama

Nongozo, APRO / Esuihangle, IA (IPR)

Kohima, December 1, 2019: The 20th edition of Hornbill festival was inaugurated by the Governor of Nagaland, RN Ravi with pomp and gaiety at Heritage Village in Kisama Sunday.  

The Governor of Nagaland and the Chief Host of the Hornbill Festival 2019 RN Ravi in his inaugural address paid rich tribute to the Naga leaders, who under extremely challenged circumstances, secured for the people, the Nagaland State with special status. He exhorted the people not to forget the leaders as history has not been kind to those who ignore or forget their heroes and martyrs.

He also praised the rich cultural heritage of Naga tribes and underscored the need to correct certain uncharitable distortions to Nagas’ history by some colonial administrators. He wondered how could the Naga tribes with their centuries old village republics efficiently managed their social, economic, political and strategic needs for so long.

Hornbill festival is an annual tourism promotional event organised by the state government. It is a cultural extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage.

The Governor and the Chief Minister of Nagaland formally inaugurated the festival of festivals by sounding the traditional gong. Earlier, Aniashu Village Chief, Montei invoked the traditional blessing and celebration of Colors of Nagaland began thereafter with spectacular performances by different artists depicting the ethnicity of Naga tribes.

State Chaplain Rev Kuzierang Thou invoked God's blessing while felicitation was done by Advisor Tourism, Art & Culture, Khehovi Yepthomi.

The total attendance on the first day was 45142 with 407 foreign and 4954 domestic tourists visiting the Naga Heritage village.