The third day of the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on Tuesday witnessed a variety of cultural performances and folk songs and dances of various tribes.
The event featured traditional dances and songs by cultural troupes: Ao cultural troupe performed the festive dance also known as the “Youth Dance”. The dance is performed by the youth only to showcase their talents.
Chang cultural troupe enthralled the gathering with their folk song Chonglichia which is traditionally sung while cutting and pulling the Banyan tree.
Chakhesang Cultural troupe presented a commemorative performance which is a celebration of life, continuity and the enduring bonds between families, clans and the land itself., while the Khiamniungan cultural troupe presented Noklie (inter- village rivalry) where all brave and strong male members of the village take guard to defend their village and the people.
Garo cultural troupe performed a folk song Bade DakeNa’Ade, the Konyak cultural troupe demonstrated their folk song and dance called Pangnyuhalok which encourages peaceful coexistence and support for each other’s causes.
Lotha cultural troupe performed a traditional folk song TssoktsuKhen (rice pounding folk song) which is a song sung by the Lotha tribe when they gather together to pound rice.
Phom cultural troupe presented Yongtap (living stone boulder), Sangtam cultural troupe exhibited a victory dance called Nyichiba Akoh Khi and the Angami cultural troupe demonstrated Tholi which is an indigenous game performed by women folks for fun, enjoyment and leisure. Rengma cultural troupe performed Ayi Kechu Khwi.
This song is sung when clearing and ploughing the field preparing the ground for sowing seeds. Pochury cultural troupe presented their folk dance Atitidoh, a dance performed to the warriors to pay tributes for their courage and strength. This dance also symbolizes new beginnings in life.
Sumi cultural troupe demonstrated Aghikutsu Kulu (head hunting). Although head hunting is no longer practised, it was an important part of cultural festivals, reminding the younger generation of the bravery and skill of the ancestors.
Tikhir cultural troupe performed a spectacular song called Lasu Nyiong Nyiong which is a friendship song and the Kachari cultural troupe exhibited their folk dance Bai Bin which is accompanied by a stringed instrument bin, Suphen (flute) and Kharam a traditional drum. This dance is performed during Bishu festival.
Yimkhiung cultural troupe presented a festive song called Thunyo Khun this song is about merry making with traditional brewed drinks and meat among members of different clans, khel and villages. Kuki cultural troupe performed Khulkon Lam, associated with the journey of the Kuki fore fathers in search of a habitable land.
The final performance of the morning session was by the Zeliang cultural troupe with its mass dance called ChariuTaubo comprising both young and old where both men and women folk dance around singing with spirit of celebration, holding leaves in their hands.
In the afternoon session, the following cultural troupes performed a variety of traditional dances and folk songs: The Yimkhiung cultural troupe performed a special folk song and dance signifying the celebration and marking of 25th Silver Jubilee of Hornbill festival.
The Kachari cultural troupe presented a colorful folk dance Baidima. This folk dance literally signifies walking, praying and sailing together in joy and harmony.
Drum Tao, the world famous Japanese drumming ensemble hailing from the Aso region in Japan mesmerized the gathering with a grand performance integrating music, martial arts, dance and theatrical storytelling.
Konyak cultural troupe treated the crowd with a special romantic folk song and dance called Maipong Lokpu. This song expresses and compliments the beauty of both young men and women. Tikhir cultural troupe performed the song Sangso, Hornbill NyiNyileitu by both men and women folks to commemorate the 25th Hornbill festival welcoming people from all over to celebrate the festival.
Sumi cultural troupe entertained the gathering with Sholuba Kiche which involves intricate rituals and is an important tradition of the Sumi tribe in order to conquer the enemies and to hunt animals. This is practised before a war and a hunt. The Sangtam cultural troupe performed Lutang Khidong, a song sung while clearing the jungle during the time of jhum cultivation
Rengma cultural troupe demonstrated Ngada Dance which is traditionally performed annually during the Ngada Festival to mark the completion of an agricultural cycle. Phom cultural troupe performed Chukchela, a traditional art of pounding rice by women folk in locally crafted wooden mortar and wooden pestle.
Khiamniungan cultural troupe presented a song Neulu Zui- this traditional song is sung while babysitting a child and the Lotha cultural troupe performed Eramoren Khyo Khung Rukhung, a victory stone pulling activity practised by their forefathers.