Hornbill Festival in Nagaland: A Pure Cultural Canvas of Nagaland Awaits You

Hornbill Festival in Nagaland
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Dubbed the festival of festivals, Hornbill Festival in Nagaland is the unique celebration of tribal harmony in India’s north-eastern state of Nagaland. The Nagaland State Tourism and Art & Culture Department hosts this unique festival every year. Throughout the festival, major tribes of Nagaland participate in the same to indulge in art, culture, music, and dance extravaganza.

The famed Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is gearing up after two years of subdued celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But in 2022, the path is open for tourists to attend the lively event. This will be the 23rd edition of the Hornbill festival where 18 recognized major tribes of Nagaland would participate.

Here is everything you should know about the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, from dates to reasons to attend to what you should expect. Scroll on!

History of Hornbill Festival Nagaland

Hornbill is a bird after which the famous Nagaland festival is named. You can see this common Nagaland bird in the forests. The festival has no long history as it was started in 2000 by the Nagaland Government. The idea of celebrating the Hornbill Festival is to spread Naga culture and glory amongst the locals and tourists alike.

Significance of Hornbill Festival Nagaland Since It Started till Now

As the name suggests, Hornbill Festival is named after the famous and respected bird which is often praised in the Naga folklore and culture – Hornbill. Now the widely respected bird, the hornbill is now on the verge of its extinction due to excessive hunting and killing. If you ask the local Naga tribes, they will tell you the significance of the hornbill bird. They use the feather of the Hornbill bird as a headgear decoration of the Naga Warriors and people.

Actual Place Where the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland Will Be Celebrated in 2022

The preparation for Hornbill Festival in Nagaland in 2022 is in full swing. You can witness the fervour of the Nagaland Hornbill Festival at the Kisama village near Kohima, the state capital of Nagaland.

The average travel distance between Kohima and Kisama village is 13 kilometres (approx.). It takes around 40 minutes to reach the spot where the festival would be celebrated in full fervour.

Official Dates to Attend Nostalgic Nagaland Hornbill Festival 2022

The whole state of Nagaland including the locals and tourists alike would be attending the nostalgic Nagaland Hornbill Festival 2022 from 1st December to 10th December. Throughout the 10 days of festive fervour, one can experience the rich culture, and heritage values of the Nagaland tribal people at Naga Heritage Village Kisama.

Reasons to Attend Hornbill Festival in 2022

There are dozens of reasons to attend Hornbill Festival Nagaland 2022. One should mark this calendar on the dedicated 10 days if you are in Nagaland during December in winter. Let’s go knee-deep into the astounding aspects that make Nagaland Hornbill Festival worth attending in 2022. Scroll on!

A Crack for Photographers

Naga Culture

Shutterbugs would be obsessed with clicking every moment of the festival. You can click pictures of the tribal people without shelling out any money. But be aware to be respectful to the tribal people. If you visit the tribal huts early in the morning around 8.30 AM, chances are high that you won’t upset the crowd.

To Get a Sneak Peek into Naga Culture

Anyone who will attend the Hornbill Festival 2022 in Nagaland would unlock a close perspective of the Naga way of life in full throttle. It’s a pretty surreal experience to witness the distinct Naga tribe under one roof for a 10 days celebration where music, dance, art, craft, and local cuisine are the USP.


Absolutely Amazing Weather

Unknown to many people, the festive date of the famous Hornbill Festival of Nagaland hits during winter. The season of winter brings crisp air to the environment. One can pretty much enjoy a bonfire night with their beloved one during the winter festival of Nagaland. If you like the same idea, you must book your Nagaland tour package with Honeymoon Bug.

Opportunity to Attend Rock Music Festival

You would be amazed to know that at the Nagaland Hornbill Festival in 2022 or in past years, the whole venue becomes the stage of the rock music festival. For the 10 days, local talents grace the front stage, and around dozens of musical bands participate in the events. This clearly shows you will have a good time if you are a music lover. In addition, you can also shop till you drop some local Naga items or nosh on food just like at any festival.

When the Hornbill Festival Nagaland Starts: Morning and Evening Hours

The festive fervour usually begins around 7:30 AM and till 5:30 PM in the starting. You will be allotted a dedicated campsite where your morning will start.

Famous Tribes Who Often Glorify Hornbill Festival Nagaland Since it Started

Incepted in 2000 by the Nagaland tourism department to promote tourism in Nagaland, around 18+ tribes of Nagaland grace the Hornbill Festival with their presence. Some of them include Angami – Ao – Chakhesang – Chang – Dimasa Kachari – Garo – Khiamniungan – Konyak – Kuki – Lotha – Phom – Pochury – Rengma – Sangtam – Sumi – Yimchungru – Zeliang.

In addition, you can also episode distinct sub-tribes as well. To your surprise, you have their dialect. Overall, it would be a nostalgic event in Nagaland in weeks.

Things to Do at Hornbill Festival in Nagaland : Activities to Perform

Honeymoon Bug urges you to attend the event for 3-4 day (approx.) to get amalgamated in one of the biggest and most boisterous fiestas of northeast India. Check out the list of things to do at the Nagaland Hornbill Festival in 2022:

Festival in Nagaland
  1. Explore the Community Spaces aka Mornings

Wander around the traditional village to meet local tribal people as they are friendly. But be respectful. Morungs also called heritage meeting houses hover from tribe to tribe. We strongly urge you to indulge in the same experience in the early morning if you want to avoid the crowd.

  1. Attend the Nostalgic Celebration at the Cultural Ground

Now, this is one of the best things to do at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. All the tribes participate in the cultural ground when their turn comes and begin to showcase their art, culture, and action. However, the USP of the cultural ground is the ring circle in which the tribal people of Nagaland sit. Most of the performances will be centred around agricultural values and historic folklore. One can witness men and women singing, and dancing.

  1. Shop Till You Drop

Wait, your shopping experience in the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is not like your experience in tier-1 towns. In fact, you will develop a new appreciation for shopping as you get to shop for tribal souvenirs on your Nagaland tour package during Hornbill Festival in December 2022. Shop some artwork and handiwork and brass decorated items. From traditional wooden hornbill keyrings to unique artefacts, you will be amazed at the festival of festivals in Nagaland in December.

  1. Gain a Unique Perspective of Naga Culture at Gallery

The government of Nagaland set up different galleries to showcase Naga culture to the extreme and at its best. Information centres will be set up where tourists alike will gain in-depth information about Naga culture and history.

Anything Else to Do at Hornbill Festival in Nagaland in 2022?

The list can go on and on. But still, let us give you a quick overview of the remaining or additional things to do in Nagaland Festival aka Hornbill Festival. Have a look:

  • Drink rice beer with the locals in the bamboo mug
  • Camp around the bonfire in the evening
  • Savour local food from the food stalls
  • Nosh on Naga coffee

Quickest Way to Reach Nagaland to Attend Hornbill Festival

The best and quick way to reach Nagaland to attend Hornbill Festival is by taking a flight to Dimapur, the nearest airport to Nagaland, within 65 km/3 hours (Approx.). Once you reach the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to reach the Hornbill Festival location.

Direct flights to Dimapur domestic airport are available from Kolkata and Guwahati. However, international travellers and travellers coming from north India and south India locations must take connecting flights.


Where to Stay at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland?

Well, campsites will be allotted to the local people and tourists alike. But it is best to ask your travel operator because only a handful of travel agencies or tour operators have taken official permission from the Nagaland Government or tourism department to lay campsites for their travellers. At the same time, homestay options and a few guesthouses can also be taken into consideration.

Tips for Attending Nagaland Hornbill Festival in 2022

  • Be respectful to the tribal people
  • Make your booking in advance with your tour operator
  • Be prepared with your winter clothes as the celebration is in winter
  • You might face the network connectivity issue
  • You might need to shell down a little money to use the toilet at the festive site

Ready to attend the biggest and most boisterous fiesta of Nagaland in December 2022? Book your northeast tour packages with Honeymoon Bug today!

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