Ten-day long Hornbill Festival concluded Thursday at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama as thousands of visitors turn up to witness the cultural extravaganza that marked the last day of the colourful festival.
The last day of the Hornbill Festival cultural programme was graced by president Naga Hoho, Chuba Ozukum as the chief guest with special director Intelligent Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Rajiv Jain IPS as the guest of honour.
P Chedie wins Naga chilli eating competition
P Chedie Khiamniungan emerged as the winner by few seconds as he ate six Naga king chillies and bagged a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 at the Naga chilli eating competition, at Kisama Naga Heritage village, Thursday. He was competing with 18 other participants.The competition was organized by department of horticulture and department of tourism and event managed by XL.
Secretary Tourism and Art and Culture, Angau Thou, IAS gave away certificates and cash prize to the winner and Prem Sakai, who also ate six king chillies and won sum of Rs. 15,000.
Joint Director Horticulture, Pawan Kumar gave away certificates and cash prize to third position holders Khumong, Mongtsa and Shanyu David, who ate three king chillies and bagged Rs. 3,000 each.
In the tourist category, Ghao Bebajit Bairagi from Assam was declared the winner. He ate Naga two king chillies and bagged Rs. 5,000. Apon Nath was also awarded for his act “chillie in his eyes”. Earlier, Senti Longchar alias Desert King enthralled the gathering with a song titled “king chilli”.
Rongsen Moa wins Stilt Bamboo walking competition
Rongsen Moa won “stilt bamboo walking competition” by 10.71 seconds bagging cash prize of Rs. 7,000 at Kisama Naga heritage village, Thursday. The competition was organized by Department of Youth Resources and Sports and Department of Tourism.
The participants competed by walking/racing with two bamboo sticks as leg with target lined some 20-30 meters. Stilt bamboo walking is one of the most popular and exciting indigenous games among the Nagas. Gumpeu completed in 11.43 seconds and Binod Sangma completed in 14.66 seconds, second position and third position respectively, bagging cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 3,000 each. (Correspondent)
Cultural extravaganza: The cultural troupes who performed in the morning session included presentations of victory folk song (Athrong Khun) by Pungthu Cultural Troupe Pungro Town (Yimchunger), Old Peren Cultural Troupe (Zeliang), Lotsu Village Cultural Club, (Lotha), Garu Cultural Troupe (Erali Bill) Dimapur, Viswema Youth Organisation (Angami), Zisunyu Village Cultural Troupe (Rengma), Chumshu M.P.S Society (Waashu Village) (Chang), Dimasa Cultural Troupe Dimapur (Kachari) and Akholongshi Cultural Sporting Club (Ao).
Cultural troupes in the afternoon session included Wui Village Cultural Troupe (Khiamniungan), Apoksah village Cultural Troupe (Pochury), Zapami Kuzha Cultural Society (Chakhesang), Kuki Cultural Troupe (Maova) (Kuki), Tamlu Buhu Union Dimapur (Phnm), Chimunger(Thingri Cultural Club (C/Khel) Village Cultural Troupe (Sangtam), Longchang Cultural Troupe (Man) Konyak and Lizumi Village Cultural Troupe (Sumi).
Inter municipal ward solo singing competition
As part of the Hornbill Festival, the final round of the first session Kohima Inter Municipal ward solo singing Competition Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat was held on December 9, which was witnessed by the Executive Director Indian Oil AOD Guwahati Dipakankar Ray as guest of honour. Opening the mega event, Ame-u Usou Zao and the choir presented the special song.
Declaring open competition, the Minister for Social Welfare, Kiyanelie Peseyie said that the hornbill festival has become a very popular annual event showcasing Nagaland traditionally and culturally. He said that this inter-ward competition was organized with participation from the wards for the young talents in the area.
Besuto Neinu, contestant No.10, ward No.10 from Hospital colony was the winner of the inter-ward soloist competition who pocketed a sum of Rs. 50000 with a citation certificate.
The second prize of Rs. 30000 was bagged by the contestant No.12 Vikali Ayemi, P.R. Hill from ward No. 19. The third runner up prize Rs 20000/- and fourth Rs.10000 went to ward No.36, contestant No.26 Imnwapang Tsudir, Agri Farm/Forest colony and C.No 6 Sevi-u Khruomo from High School colony respectively.
Altogether 34 applicants from different parts of the colony took part in the event.
All finalists also received Rs. 3000 each with certificate from the President of Association Kohima Municipal ward Panchayat.
The judges of the competition were Bambi Kevichusa, Khyochano TCK Lotha, Neisenuo Apon Rengma, James Besnet and Ame-u Usou Zao.
The chief patron of the occasion was Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Nicky and the Patron was Parliamentary Secretary for YRS, Lottery & MTF Khriehu Liezietsu and MLA Vikho Yhoshu.
Three dances groups including Fusion Flippers, Elemenz and Faith in Action also enthralled the audience with their special acts.
The youngest contestant, 8 years old Thejano Ethel Kira, a class 3 of LFHSS student also performed on the stage.
All the participants also presented a Christmas song. Closing song was sung by the Kokliba (Naga Orpheus).
Apfukru Dolie wins Hipfest photo competition
Apfukru Dolie was judged winner of the Hipfest Photo competition which was held on the theme ‘Colours of Nagaland’.
Dolie was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 25000 during the closing ceremony of the Hornbill Festival 2105 at Kisama, Heritage Village, Thursday. Caisii Mao and Mahong Sorie were awarded second and third place respectively. Consolation prizes were also awarded to Tsugporong Imsong and Zhaletuo Sachü. About 50 entries were registered to this year’s Hipfest Photo competition. Judges for the competition were Tom Potisit a Thailand based Photographer, Jill Bednar the Owner of American Image New Jersey and V. Doulo Assistant Director, Tourism Department.