KOHIMA, DECEMBER 2: The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland today entered the second day with cultural performances by various tribes on the theme “Cultural connect”, at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, in Kohima.
Out of the 18 major tribes in the State, 7 ~ Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir and Yimkhiung tribes ~ from the 6 districts ~ Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator of Eastern Nagaland are not presenting cultural items this year.
They have been bound by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation’s (ENPO) decision to boycott the festival to pressurize for a separate statehood – ‘Frontier Nagaland’ and not to participate in the festival till their demand of a separate State is fulfilled.
The ENPO tribes have not only created a vacuum in the cultural performances but their morungs (traditional huts), including that of the newly constructed morung of the newest major tribe Tikhir, have been left unattended.
With a view to overcome the gap of the non-participation of ENPO tribes, the Art & Culture Department has brought in Kohima cultural organizations/clubs to entertain the visitors.
The morning session of cultural performance starts from 10-12 Noon and afternoon session from 1 to 3 p.m.
During the traditional performances by 11 tribes: Angami – Melo Phita (folk dance), Ao – Benjongbentsü Yar (festive dance), Chakhesang – Roce (folk dance), Garo – Wangala dance, Kachari – Kram Jang Mal Duba (folk dance), Kuki – Lom lam (folk dance), Lotha – Ritso shari (war dance), Pochury – folk dance, Rengma – Akhu Kedelie (folk song), Sumi – War dance and Zeliang – Herielim (hornbill dance) enthralled the spectators comprised of local, domestic and foreign tourists.
While the Kohima based cultural troupes Zeliang performed Nagaland Deu Lim; Lotha – Naga Liphongtsu Shancho Khen (song & dance) and Rengma – Kaghaka men Keya (traditional marriage song) in the morning, Angami – Dizhü pfhe, song while working in the field and Chakhesang Cirüphe and Thünyephe, Feast of Merit festival dance performed in the afternoon.
Earlier, gracing the morning session of cultural connect as special guest, Director of External Affairs South Asia Office (SAO) Ravi Bhatnagar wished the people of Nagaland a happy “Festival of Festivals”.
He said that as a representative of Reckitt, the Department has recognized that a healthy adolescent is a key to a healthier and happier future.
He said that the holistic understanding coupled with the coordination of the people and Reckitt has translated into a robust programme and that the Centre has actively participated in a partnership with the State Government.
He requested the Government to provide continuous support to implement the programmes and help in educating the young adolescents between the ages of 10 to 19 years and help them grow up with life skill education.
He also said that the Department is glad to be the health partner during this iconic Hornbill Festival and said that the Festival is the ideal platform to reach out to State’s youths, who in turn will enable to create healthier, happier and progressive India.
The second day of the Hornbill Festival also witnessed the launch of Toyota Hornbill Music Festival in the evening.
Organised by Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), the music festival has 24 bands from across the country and Tiny Fingers from Israel have been lined up to perform every day at 4 p.m. till December 10.
On Saturday, the main attraction other than the cultural presentations will be the 15th traditional Naga wrestling competition at 10 a.m. in the Amphitheatre within Kisama.
(Page News Service)
