Nagaland’s famous Hornbill Fest goes virtual

Kohima, Dec 5 : The Naga Heritage Village, the epicentre of the world famous Hornbill Festival is quiet this year with the celebrations turned online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Located about 12 km away from Nagaland capital Kohima the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, has witnessed thousands of footfall of tourists every year to witness the rich and diverse culture of most tribes of Nagas, vividly and colourfully displayed in the form of folk music and traditional dance besides exposition and availability of exotic food, crafts and art and numerous life and customs.
Dubbed as the “Festival of Festivals” here, the 10-day Hornbill Festival is celebrated every year from December 1 to 10.
Thousands of tourists across the country and from abroad every year have witnessed the colourful festival.
According to a Tourism Department official, in 2019, the festival generated business worth Rs 100 crore over 10 days and attracted footfall of over 2.70 lakh tourists, including 3,015 foreign visitors and guests, signifying the magnitude the authority and the people of the state attach to the festival, the biggest in the northeast region, comprising eight states.
“All 18 tribes of the state every year have been taking part in the mega festival and displaying their cultural and traditional extravaganza. Though we are painful for not being able to organise the carnival but we also cannot ignore the safety of our people. By turning the celebration in virtual mode, the government has kept the event lively even during the pandemic,” the official said.