By Sujit Chakraborty Kohima, Nov 29, : The Hornbill Festival fever has gripped the northeastern region.Its epicenter is the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, in southern Nagaland.
They are in a frenzy about the 10-day mega carnival that will be held after the pandemic.
Kisama is 12 km from Nagaland capital Kohima.
Last year, celebrations were turned online because of the Covid-19 pandemic.However, the original traditional zeal and gaiety re-emerged in this year’s celebrations.
It is difficult for thousands of tourists from abroad to attend the Festival due to the new Covid-19 variant ‘Omicron’.
Ajanuo Belho, Nagaland Tourism Department Director, stated that although foreign tourists may be less likely to visit Nagaland due to Omicron’s outbreak, lakhs of people from other states and the northeast will still enjoy the 10-day celebration.
Belho explained to IANS that the festival was unable to be held last year because of the pandemic.”This year, we are in a full spirit to hold the mega festival.
She stated that the Nagaland government had also implemented a revised standard operating procedure starting November 11, and established eight testing centres, including at airports and railway stations, for screening outside travelers.
Another official from the Tourism Department stated that five top diplomats or ambassadors from five countries — Thailand Brunei, Vietnam Maylaysia, Maylaysia, Brunei and Vietnam — were expected to attend the festival.
The festival has been showcasing Nagaland’s traditional culture, customs, and food for over two decades, and providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow.
Hornbill Festival is the main platform to promote Nagaland tourism, and related businesses.
KhehoviYepthomi, state tourism advisor, stated that the annual Hornbill Festival has “not only lifted Nagaland onto the world tourism map but also facilitated Nagas in building up their bonding to culture and heritage and promoting inter-tribal relations.” He stated that more than 2.82 lakh tourists, which included 3,015 foreign guests and visitors, visited Nagaland in 2019 for the Hornbill Festival, compared to 1.12 lakh who visited the state in 2016 to see the festival.
Yepthomi claimed that the economic impact of the annual festival is also huge.He said that in 2018, against a government spending of Rs 7 Crore, the Hornbill Festival accumulated a total income and earnings of Rs 45 Crore.
He stated that in 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic the earnings and revenue from transport, food and lodging were more than Rs 100 crore.This was against a government expenditure of Rs 11.52 cr during the ten-day festivities.This is a sign of the importance the state and its people attach to the festival, which is the largest in the northeast.
The Naga Heritage Village Kisama has been attracting thousands of tourists each year since 2000.They come to see the rich culture of Nagas and their traditional folk music and dance, as well as the exposition and availability for exotic food, crafts, art, and many other customs.
In 2019, the Hornbill International Rock Contest attracts thousands of music lovers from across the country.Five countries are officially part of the music festival.
Another official from the Tourism Department stated that “all 16 major tribes of the state have been participating in the mega festival and displaying cultural and traditional extravaganza every year.”
The Hornbill Festival’s beginning coincides with the celebrations of statehood on December 1.
Sujit Chakraborty may be reached at sujit.c@ians.in
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