Kohima: The famous Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, christened as the ‘Festival of the Festivals, will begin on Saturday at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, 12 Kms east of the state capital.
The festival will showcase the tradition, culture and indigenous games and sports of all 17 Naga tribes of Nagaland and neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar will inaugurate the week-long Nagaland Hornbill Festival at Kisama, while Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will be chief guest.
Several foreign dignitaries, including Ambassadors and Consulate General, some Ministers, top bureaucrats and officials from all the North Easter states will attend the inaugural function.
All the 17 tribes of Nagaland, with their traditional dresses will participate in the inaugural function. They will also present their cultural dances in the inaugural function.
The highlights of the week-long Nagaland Hornbill Festivals are the Naga Chilli Eating Contest, Hornbill Art Festival, which includes a Photograph competition ‘HIPFEST’ with the theme ‘Colours of Nagaland’, Celebration of Naga Textile Art and Design and launching of Hornbill Music Festival at Indira Gandhi Stadium on December 1.
On December 2, there will be Hornbill Cycling Rally to be flagged off at Kisama, North East Day, organised by the North East Zone Cultural Center at Kisama, Pork Fat Eating Competition, Hornbill half Marathon and music and jazz organised by the Nagaland Music Task Force at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.
On December 3, World War II Peace Rally, organised by Nagaland Adventure and Motor Sports Association, will begin at DDSC Stadium at Dimapur and culminate at Kisama, Greased Bamboo Pole Climbing, Archery and musical show at Kisama.
On Day four, there will be Naga Wrestling Competition, Hornbill Global Film Festival, the Hornbill Ball and launching of Hornbill National Rock Contest, 2012 organised by the Music Task Force at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.
On day five, there will be North East Riders Meet, where bikers from all North East States will assembled at Dimapur Agri Expo Site and will proceed to Kohima, indigenous fire making and games, Fashion Night and competition of Hornbill National Rock Festival.
On day six, there will be Hornbill Motor Rally to be flagged off at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, North East Riders’ Meet, where 200 Royal Enfield Riders will visit Kisama, Prize distribution of Hornbill Motor Rally, Miss Nagaland Beauty Contest at State Academy Hall and continuation of Hornbill National Rock Contest.
On Day seven, there will the Grand Finale of the Hornbill National Rock Contest at the IG Stadium and a spectacular concluding ceremony with Bon fire, fire works and mixed dances by all cultural troupe of the North East India.(UNI)