Ten-day 18th Hornbill Festival – festival of festivals – commenced on Friday at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama with much pomp and gaiety.
The first day of the festival was marked by inauguration of several stalls, melas, programmes and presentation of colourful and vibrant traditions of Nagas.
Book released: A book titled “The Konyaks: Last of the Tattooed Headhunters” was released by chief host of Hornbill festival and Governor P. B Acharya on Friday during the inaugural programme of the festival.
President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, chief minister T.R Zeliang and MP (Lok Sabha) Neiphiu Rio also joined in releasing the book.
The book, a personal journey of the author, Phejin Konyak, retraces the steps of her grandfather and great-grandfather by documenting the tattooing practice of the Konyaks – a once fearsome “headhunting” tribe of Nagaland in India, well known for their iconic facial and body tattoos.
The book compiles the most intensive research and documentation that had ever been done on tattoo art. It captures the unique but vanishing practice of the tattooing culture together with the tattoo patterns, their meanings and oral traditions, such as folktales, songs, poems and sayings.
Author Phejin Konyak was the great-granddaughter of a tattooed “headhunter” Ahon, who was a prominent member of the Konyak tribe and one of the first interpreters of “Diaries of Two Tours” in the Naga Hills (1923), written by J.H. Hutton, the first ethnographer to venture into the Naga Hills during the time of the British Raj.
The photographer Peter Bos, is professional portrait photographer from Eindhoven, Netherlands. He travels to remote corners of the world, capturing the essence of unique cultures through strong and intense portraits.
NSLSA stall: Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) legal services stall at the ongoing Hornbill Festival was inaugurated by Judge Gauhati High Court Aizwal Bench, Aizwal Justice Michael Zothankhuma.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Justice Zothankhuma informed that the basic legal service initiated by the legal services authority was to provide free service to downtrodden and weaker section of the society.
While reminding that everyone has a duty to the society and a role to help those in need, Zothankhuma exuded confidence that NSLSA was one step ahead in helping the poor citizens.
In her welcome address, member secretary NSLSA, Nino Iralu, who is also special judge TDP Vigilance Commission, informed that NSLSA stall wouild provide legal counselling, affidavit drafting, distribute legal literatures in English and local dialect and Kohima district legal literacy club will perform skit play on domestic violence, Right To Information etc. throughout the ten days hornbill festival.
Iralu said district judges, lawyers, state trainers and para-legal volunteers from the 11 districts of Nagaland will render free legal services throughout the festival which will remain open from 10 a.m. onwards.
Night Carnival: Hornbill Night carnival organised by Kohima Chamber Of Commerce & Industries commenced on Friday. The ten-day carnival is being held from Y junction to Razhü Point Kohima from 6-9 p.m. daily. More than 150 different types of stalls like pop up restaurants selling Naga cuisine, eateries, decorative items, clothes, instant photo studios and others were put up. On the first night, Governor P.B. Acharya along with his family visited the night carnival.
Floral gallery & farmer’s mela: Chief Minister Nagaland T.R. Zeliang inaugurated the floral gallery and farmer’s mela at Hortiscape at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. Farmers from 11 districts are participating in the exhibition cum sale of flowers, fruits, vegetables and spices. The stalls consist of different associations, self help groups, and flowers growers from within and outside the State exhibiting locally grown indigenous and horticulture products which are also on sale.
1st 2nd and 3rd and consolation prizes were selected by judges in the flowers category of ferns & foliage, cacti & succulents, indigenous foliage & flowers, bulbs & tubers, orchids (indigenous & hybrid) bonsai, perennials, annuals & biennials, flower arrangement (fresh) flower arrangements (dry). Also in the fruit vegetables and species category 1st 2nd and 3rd Prizes and consolation in the category of oranges, peneapples, banana, kiwi, lime & lemon, papaya, guava, cabbage, cauliflower, cucurbits, broccoli, leafy vegetables, carrot, reddish, Naga mircha, large cardamom, ginger, turmeric, garlic, leek and tree tomato.
Bamboo pavilion: The crafts bazaar organised by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce and NHHDC Ltd was inaugurated at the Bamboo Pavilion by parliamentary secretary, Amenba Yaden. It is being funded by DC (Handicrafts) Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
The craft bazaar has 103 stalls opened by local entrepreneurs and five stalls from other neighbouring States.
HIPFEST: Hornbill International Photo Fest (HIPFEST) 2017, a photography and art festival/exhibition was inaugurated by Parliamentary Secretary, Information & Public Relations and SIRD, Imtikumzuk. HIPFEST is being jointly organised by the Department of Information & Public Relations and Eastern Art Council, supported by the Department of Tourism.
Some of the artists who have put up their art works for sale are Moanungsang, Asang, Sentiyanger, Toshi, Atsung Longchar, Neiphrezo and Bendangtoshi Lemtur. It also includes a new form of Modern Art (Mount Crafting Design) by David Keneingutuo Sorunuo, 3D Modern Art by Akup and sculptures by T. Meren Imsong.
Altogether 45 participants are taking part in the Photography Contest under the theme ‘Colours of Nagaland,’ of which nine participants are in the children’s category (13 years and below).
Another feature of the HIPFEST is the Glocal Film Fest to be held at ‘The Heritage’ on December, 5-6 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring short films from North America and Nagaland.
The HIPFEST exhibition is open from 10:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the festival. The results and prize distribution of the photography contest will be declared on December 7 and 10t December respectively.
Kids carnival: Hornbill Kids Carnival 2017 started at Children Park, NHV, Kisama which is being organized by Synergy and Richa production at the Naga Heritage Village. Highlights of the carnival include games, performances and experiences in different fields like Tram polling, Zip liner, Sky walk and many more. Kids can also showcase their talents through Mini Olympics, The voice kids and Beauty Pageant, where they will be awarded with certificates and prizes. The Kids Carnival will continue till December 10.
Artist corner: This year also Artist corner is displaying various Art works, painting and sculptors in the at the Hornbill festival.
As many as 20 artists are participating with about one hundred art works for the exhibition which are also for sale. Promotion of Visual art, Portrait, Cartoon, Sketch, Drawing etc and spot painting competition for students are the main highlights during the ten day long festival at Kisama.
Official of Art & Culture informed that theme will be a painting competition on clean election Nagaland campaign on December 8 at the Artist corner premises.
Horse riding & pony card transportation: Second edition of the Horse riding and pony card transportation was flagged off by S, Chuba Longkumer, Parliamentary Secretary of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services at Naga Heritage village, Kisama.
In the flag off, IP Khala, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services said that the second edition was brought with demand from the public so that the people can experience the ride with the fees of Rs 30 to 60.
Craftscape: Craftscape, a portfolio on Naga craft traditions was inaugurated by secretary for tourism, Angau I Thou at Kisama. The Craftscape is organized by Tribal Weave in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Art and Culture department.
The exhibition presents landmark distributions of tribal craft specialties by skilled artisans who embark dignified livelihoods in keeping alive the intangible heritage.
The craft items displayed at the stalls are Anghya Nyekok (The Queen’s Bag) Thevora (Nettle Shawl), Pottery of Runguzu Nasa village, metal craft (a Konyak Naga Gunsmith), Rakdi (Head Gear), Henachi Tei (Banana Necklace), traditional earrings, Nyek (beaded necklace), cotton processing in the Naga textile grammar, Khiamniugan traditional headgear.