The 25th Hornbill Festival 2024’s eighth day began with a remarkable celebration of Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage. 18 cultural troupes, each representing the many customs of Nagaland’s tribes, gave breathtaking performances at the occasion, according to a DIPR report. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Labor, Employment, Youth Affairs, and Sports, was the honored guest for the morning session. Awan Konyak, chairperson of the Nagaland Bio Resource Mission, Abu Metha, chairman of IDAN and advisor to the chief minister, and Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, advisor for School Education and SCERT, co-hosted the session, which was hosted by G. Kaito Aye, minister for roads and bridges.
Yimkhiung: showed how to drag a log drum, Zeliang sang a folk tune called Hunginang. Kuki: Captivated by the traditional folk dance known as Salu Lap Lam. The Chang ensemble performed Lotha, a traditional tiger hunting scene, and Pnangan Chia, a rhythmic folk dance. Khiamniungan: Staged Elie Zuihang, a post-war dance that symbolizes victory, and Garo: Sang Badi Dake Na Ade, a catchy folk song, were performed by the Konyak cultural group as part of a memorial cultural exhibition.
The Angami troupe presented Nuopie Pfhe, a lullaby or cradle song; the Rengma troupe played the calming lullaby Anga Kaghaju Khwi; Tikhir presented Tanta Nyit, the millet harvesting song; and Ao showed a game that represented a female eagle chasing a hen. The performances celebrated the unity and diversity of the state’s tribes while offering an insight into Nagaland’s ancient rituals, agricultural methods, and artistic manifestations. The Hornbill Festival, which attracts tourists from all over the world, is still a testament to Nagaland’s cultural diversity and pride.
