Home  News Hornbill News Hornbill 2009 gets off to a spectacular start
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Hornbill 2009 gets off to a spectacular start |
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KOHIMA, DEC 1: Heralding the beginning of festive season in the State, the hilly terrain surrounding the Naga Heritage Village in Kohima today echoed with the sounds of traditional war cries,
beating of log drums and folk songs as the Hornbill Festival, one of the biggest indigenous festivals of the country, got off to a spectacular start at Kisama. Naga cultural troupes and presentations by Myanmar and Thailand guest troupes mesmerised the thousands of people who had gathered to witness the start of the unique event.
The seven-day cultural extravaganza has received an overwhelming response this year as thousands of people, including tourists from the country’s mainland as well as from abroad, besides the troupes from Korea, Japan, Myanmar and Myanmar, thronged to the picturesque tourist village to experience the music, language, songs and dances and the cuisine of one of the richest living tribal traditions in the country under one venue.
Addressing the mammoth gathering coinciding with the 46th anniversary of Nagaland Statehood Day, Governor Nikhil Kumar said the festival is possible because of the peace and stability that has been prevailing in the State while also expressing hope for the peaceful situation to remain permanently in the State. “We need a conducive atmosphere for development and progress and look forward to the State entering an era of peace and progress,” he said.
Stating that though Nagaland is geographically small, it has displayed the diverse and rich cultural heritage through the festival, the Governor termed it as a ‘unique experiment of cultural harmony’. “This festival is an occasion which helps in bringing emotional integration for all of us, and emotional integration is what we are looking for in times to come,” he said.
He further felt that the festival has been aptly named ‘Festival of Festivals’ as it is one of a kind, which has not only inspired the other seven sisters states of the North East but also drawn the attention of people from abroad.
The Governor also appreciated the state government’s decision to organise the festival in public-private partnership basis in coming years in a more professional and innovative way.
Welcoming the gathering as the Chief Host of the festival, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the Hornbill Festival is the coming together of all the elements that make up the total Nagaland.
H said the Government’s policy is to slowly privatise the festival so that Naga event managers and other entrepreneurs can take it up as a business venture and professionally manage it. Stating that the government’s role would only be that of a facilitator, Rio called upon young entrepreneurs to come forward for managing events here taking a cue from Synergy Enterprise, formed by a group of young Naga entrepreneurs, which opened a week-long Kids Carnival at Heritage Village.
Also stating that festivals can only be celebrated when there is a conducive climate, the Chief Minister thanked the peace efforts of organisations like Forum for Naga Reconciliation, church bodies, civil societies, NGOs, tribal organisations and different other groups, adding that Nagaland is now enjoying an era of peace and tranquillity.
Both the Governor and Chief Minister also paid homage to the founding fathers of Nagaland State which was formed through a Political Agreement in December 1, 1963.
Gracing the occasion as tribal guest of honour, former President of Tenyimi Central Union, WC Krome invoked traditional blessings upon the festival.
Earlier, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism and Law and Justice, Yitachu tendered the welcome address while the Governor also released a book entitled ‘Fables from the misty mountains – folklores of the Nagas’.
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