HORNBILL FESTIVAl
                                         

                                                                   

Nagaland is one of the beautiful states of Northeast. Sometimes known as the ‘Switzerland’ of the east. The state has a diverse culture, homeland of around 16 tribes. A narrow stripes of mountainous territory with rugged hills, emerald valleys, sparkling rivers and streams and rich variety of cultural heritages. The people of Nagaland by nature are fun lovers, simple and life in Nagaland is long life festival.

                                                 

The ‘Hornbill’ festival of Nagaland is one of the important celebrations in the region. This festival is celebrated in the first week of December and last for a week in the capital city ‘kohima’. The purpose of the festival is to reviving, protecting and sustaining the rich cultural heritages of the tribes. This is done through cultural extravaganza worth experiencing.

                                          

The Festival is named after the hornbill, a globally respected bird that shows up in the folklore of most of the state’s tribes. This one weeklong festival unite all of the Nagaland, in one giant color-splashed hodgepodge of dances, performances, crafts, parades, games, sports, food fairs and religious ceremonies. The festival both expose the culture and tradition of tribal people and reinforces Nagaland’s identity as an unique state in India’s federal union.

                                  

Traditional arts are also featured, with paintings, wood carvings and sculptures by modern Naga artists on display. Naga troupes sing folk songs, perform traditional dances and play indigenous games and sports. In the evenings a programme of music concerts, catering for all tastes, ensures that the festive spirit continues through the night.



                                         

                                                                              

                                                       

Bagurumba Bodo Dance (Butterfly dance)

‘Bagurumba’ known as the ‘butterfly dance’ of the valley is one of most colorful and attractive cultural dance of the Assam. This dance is performed in group by the beautiful maidens of Bodo tribe, dressed in most colorful attire known as ‘Dokhona’. The Bagurumba dance is formation dance in a slow steps and outstretching hands with ‘jwmgra’ and ‘Aronai’ (traditional stall carried in dance) accompanied   with merit of Bodo traditional music and instruments.
                                                 The Bagurumba Dance of Assam

The dance is usually practiced during ‘Bwishagu’ (Bihu in Assamese) in mid of April, a festival of Bodos in ‘Bishuba Sankrati’ (New Year). This dance is accompanied by the Bagurumba song which goes like this:
Bagurumba, Hai Bagurumba
Bagurumba, Hai aio Bagurumba
jat nonga bwla khun nonga bwlathabbrum homnanwi bamnanwi lagwmwn kha              
hwi lwgw lagwmwn kha...                                                                  


                                                         Bodo girls

The ‘Boros’ or the’ Bodos’ are one of the oldest indigenous tribe inhabitants of Assam. Living in almost every district of Assam has rich cultural heritage. They are the branch of Indo-Mongoloid family who are still able to follow their traditional culture, custom, beliefs and practices.

Northeast India, a superfluous natural beauty and peace with exotic flora and fauna that lives and breathes and with vibrant colorful people. The land of mountains and land of almost 166 indigenous tribes.  Each tribe has its own culture, traditions, language and life style which give unique identity. It has over 2000 km of border with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh and is connected to rest of India by narrow of 20 km wide corridor of land.

Northeast India is situated in the lap of great Himalaya hills in the north eastern part of India. The seven sisters of the regions are Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya.  North east India is ethically distinct from the mainland of India.

The languages spoken in the region are English, Assamese, Boro, Garo, Jaintia, Khasi, Manipuri, Mizo, Nagamese, Bengali and Hindi. Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhist religions are followed in the region.  

It is valley rich in food culture. Each state has almost same fooding habits, the habitants of the region are non-vegetarians and fond of chilies. ‘Rich’ is the stable diet of the region. The authentic food is bland yet delicious. Chinese food and local dishes are available.  The taste and flavors are different from the rest of the country. Dishes are generally made of bamboo shoots, mostly steam foods. The food is prepared with very little oils and practically less spices.

In some parts of north east, animals are considered to be good diet. In Nagaland, some local tribes consume dog meat. Mithun (local animal) are sacrificed during ‘Solung’ festivals and consumed with’ Apong’ (drinks made of rice bear) by near and dears as a sacred meat in Arunachal Pradesh. Tribal in lower Assam are fond of pig meats (pork).  Dried and fermented fishes ‘Iromba’ is highly appreciated in Manipur.