Hornbill Festival

In News

• Recently, the Vice President Jagdeep inaugurated the 23rd edition of the Hornbill Festival at Naga heritage village in Nagaland.

About the Festival

• Often cited as “festival of all festivals”
• Hornbill Festival usually takes place between the 1st and the 10th of December every year in Nagaland. 
• Aim of the festival: To revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions. 
• It is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima. 
• The festival gets its name from the Indian Hornbill. 
• The Hornbill is a common bird among the folklores and tribes of Nagaland and can be commonly seen prancing around in the forests of Nagaland. 
• Many tribes take part in the festival: Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Dimasa Kachari, Garo, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Yumchungru, and Zeliang.

Great Hornbill

• It is also known as the concave-casqued hornbill, great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill is one of the larger members of the hornbill family.
• It is found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
• Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals.
• The great hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity.
• It is predominantly frugivorous, but is an opportunist and will prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds.
• IUCN status: Vulnerable

Source: PIB