One of the most anticipated festivals in India, the Hornbill Festival is an annual celebration of Nagaland’s 16 tribes and their rich cultural heritage. Partake in the merrymaking with the locals, and discover the nightlife of the Nagas.
-
By SAYAN HAZRA
Celebrate the exotic Hornbill Festival, and get a glimpse of the Naga way of life through this series of striking photographs.
Tribal men in traditional attire perform a local dance during the Hornbill Festival in Kisama.
Clockwise from left: Log drums, fashioned out of huge tree trunks and decorated with human motifs, are integral to Naga festivities; traditional Konyak Naga necklaces are made with skulls, beads, and animal teeth; the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama is home to traditional houses and morungs for each tribe; warrior ensembles are an integral part of the performances.
Clockwise from above: The Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, is situated around 12 km from Kohima. It offers a panorama of natural vistas, and is infused with the cheerful hospitality of its people; a Chakhesang Naga man wears a bird-feather earring; fermented soybean, locally known as akhuni or axone, is the main ingredient in Naga curries. Akhuni comes in powdered or cake form, and is used commonly in stews along with other vegetables; Naga men and women sing tribal folk songs to the tune of traditional instruments as other members perform dances.