Nagaland: Tribal showcases light up day 6 of Hornbill Festival

The sixth day of the 26th Hornbill Festival featured a vibrant line-up of traditional dances and folk presentations as cultural troupes from across Nagaland- and a guest team from Arunachal Pradesh- took centre stage at Kisama on Saturday.
The session was hosted by Power & Parliamentary Affairs minister K.G. Kenye and co-hosted by advisor A. Pangjung Jamir, and attended by NEC secretary Satinder Kumar Bhalla, Lt. Gen. Abhijit S. Pendharkar (GOC 3 Corps) and senior Bank of Baroda officials Dr. Debadatta Chand and Beena Vaheed.
Highlights included Ao troupe’s Yimdongsü Yar festival dance, Tikhir troupe’s post-harvest Kuhlangnyi Tsin, and Angami troupe’s Tephrie Metsa, showcasing indigenous stick gaming. Garo troupe presented Nanggorere Goserong, while Chakhesang troupe performed Khuho Li, the paddy-field hoeing song. The Kachari troupe staged Jarafaglamwsanai, a sacred Kherai Puja dance led by the Doudini.
Other performances included Chang’s Kongkin Dookbü, Khiamniungan’s traditional men’s haircut act, Konyak’s Kak-goi-bih on indigenous healing, and Kuki’s Savailhun, celebrating a victorious hunter.
A standout attraction was the Wancho Fusion Crew from Longding, Arunachal Pradesh, whose production “From Roots to Rhythm” blended traditional war dances with contemporary fusion, portraying the community’s journey from headhunting traditions to harmony.
Lotha troupe performed Rüjungro-To, Phom showcased Elou Moksham Sham-a, Pochury displayed the combat sport Chieh Chieh, and Rengma presented La Kethyü on ancient pottery. Sangtam’s Kihkha Khidong, Sumi’s Kimelepu Ajuyebo, Zeliang’s Kantung Lin, and Yimkhiung’s Hüh Tsah Peh concluded the day’s presentations.