Hornbill Festival: Nagaland’s biggest tourism fair, a window to the state
Hindustan TimesThe Hornbill Festival, Nagaland’s iconic cultural and tourism fair that is annually held from December 1 to 10, has evolved into a celebration showcasing the diverse and vibrant cultural and traditional heritage of the tribes of Nagaland. In its 25th year, the festival was conceived at a time when the state was slowly returning to normalcy, following the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the Naga armed group Isak-Muivah-led National Socialist Council of Nagalim and the Centre, after having been through insurgency for over five decades. “A few of us traveled with the then chief minister of Nagaland SC Jamir to international tourism events and Nagaland was not known anywhere,” recalled Thangi Mannen, former state tourism secretary. The festival now attracts tourists from across India and abroad; In 2023, the state tourism department recorded 1.5 lakh footfalls.