Hornbill Festival wraps up, attracting 1.73 lakh visitors
The 25th Hornbill Festival concluded with a total footfall of 1,73,887 visitors, including 2,375 foreign tourists, showcasing a significant national and global acceptance of Nagaland’s cultural heritage and traditions.
News Arena Network - Kohima - UPDATED: December 11, 2024, 07:09 PM - 2 min read
A glimpse from the concluding day of the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland.
Nagaland's iconic Hornbill Festival has attracted a record-breaking 1.73 lakh visitors this year, including 2,375 foreign tourists, surpassing last year's footfall of 1.54 lakh.
The festival, named after the hornbill bird revered in Naga folklore, concluded on Tuesday. The closing ceremony commenced at 5 pm with cultural performances marking the grand finale.
The 10-day cultural extravaganza, now in its 25th edition, was held at the scenic Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, 12 kilometres from Kohima.
Known as the "Festival of Festivals," the festival has become a prominent event showcasing the state's rich traditions, diversity, and cultural heritage.
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On Sunday, the eighth day of the festival, the highest daily footfall of 26,274 was recorded, while the lowest turnout of 14,502 was noted on the fourth day, according to an official.
The visitor tally comprises 2,375 international tourists, 48,103 domestic travellers, and 1,23,409 local attendees, the official revealed.
Data revealing year-wise tourist footfall at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland.
The festival, inaugurated on 1 December with the beating of the Naga gong by Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, was graced by representatives from partner nations—UK, Wales, Peru, USA, and Japan—and state partners Telangana and Sikkim.
Visitors to the festival are treated to vibrant cultural performances by all 18 tribes of Nagaland, traditional games, sports, and exotic Naga cuisine. The Hornbill International Music Festival, held in the evenings, is another key highlight.
This year's cultural performances, presented by the Department of Art and Culture, are themed "Cultural Connect."
“It is one of the most beautiful and colourful festivals in our country. We are thrilled to experience the vivid and interesting Naga cultural activities. We also got to know more about their culture and their lives. Everyone should surely visit the Hornbill festival” remarked Kushal Das from Siliguri, West Bengal.
Avishek Dhar, visiting from Hyderabad, shared, “Hornbill festival is a beautiful example of the amalgamation of Naga traditions and modern culture. The place, people and the experience cannot be expressed in words.”
For international visitors, the experience has been equally enthralling.
“Hornbill Festival has been an experience that would keep me amazed time and again,” said S. Minamae from Edinburgh, Scotland.
P Mhatre, a long-time visitor to the festival, expressed admiration for the youth's "dedication to preserving traditions".
Last year at the #HornbillFestival: a whirlwind of culture, music, and food. Witnessing Nagaland’s traditions up close was unforgettable—crafts, dances, and the welcoming vibe left me in awe. Truly the ‘Festival of Festivals’#Nagalandpic.twitter.com/DeWz67dYoN
“I have fallen in love with the Hornbill festival since my first visit 10 years back and since then I have come five times,” she said.
However, she expressed dissatisfaction with the newly erected pavilions, citing their obstruction of views of traditional morungs (Naga huts).
Addressing the closing ceremony of the Hornbill Festival, Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along spotlighted the event’s role in embodying unity and prosperity for the people of Nagaland.
He highlighted the festival’s evolution from a tribal celebration to an international cultural platform.
“Under the dynamic leadership of our Honourable Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, we have seen the Hornbill Festival grow into an event that resonates with unity, spirituality, and collective prosperity,” said Along.
The minister also emphasised the importance of international participation, with the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Peru as partner countries, alongside state partners Sikkim and Telangana.
“These collaborations foster stronger international ties and cultural exchange,” he added.
The silver jubilee edition’s closing ceremony saw Minister Counsellor for Public Diplomacy at the US Embassy, New Delhi, Gloria Berdena, Miss Nagaland 2024 Anon Konyak A, first runner-up Nikali K Shohe, and second runner-up Kelulu Dawhuo lighting a bonfire to mark the conclusion of the festival.
The 25th Hornbill Festival in Nagaland is drawing attention for its zero-waste practices. Tourists are applauding the event's sustainable efforts to make it completely waste-free. #GarbageFreeCities#SwachhBharat
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