Last Updated At: 11-Dec-2023
Every Indian state has its dedicated customs and traditions that make it unique. The Northeastern state of Nagaland has the same. The state houses people of over 16 tribes with their ways of celebrating joy and happiness. The diversity of these tribes makes Nagaland a land of cultural fairs.
The perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and festivities ranks it among the top tourist destinations. So, if you are planning to visit, plan ahead, as you can enjoy various festivals in Nagaland if you go at the right time.
Each festival in Nagaland is celebrated with immense pleasure by dressing in dazzling clothes, vibing to the cultural music, and eating toothsome food. If you want to know about these festivals, read ahead!
Just like every other state, Nagaland has its own way of celebrating the inception of the harvest season. The Aoleang festivals mark the inception of the new year during the Spring. It is a 5-day festival celebrated by the Konyak tribe in the state. It is celebrated at the start of April after the new seeds are sown and harvested.
People of the state welcome and celebrate this festival with their unique rituals and traditions. The key USP of this festival is the music and dance performances that the people of Nagaland host. You will see different dance and music routines adequately planned and executed for all five days. All of this is feasible just because of the tremendous support from the government.
Also Read - Best Tourist Places To Visit In Nagaland
The unusual name of the festival is because of the state bird, Hornbill. Unlike other festivals, this one is not linked to any ancient history. The state’s government started the Hornbill Festival in 2000 to market Nagaland as a tourist destination. It takes place in the Kisama village and is celebrated in the initial days of December. Hence, plan your trip timely.
Numerous prime aspects make this festival unique. For example, you can witness several rock concerts, tribal artworks, and dance performances during the festival. Further, there is a unique competition here named the chilli-eating competition. If you dare to, you can participate in this competition. Besides, you get to taste many of the state's delicacies during the festival. You can also go and see a motor rally here. Hornbill is also the annual Nagaland music festival.
Sekrenyi is one of the longest festivals in the state. The festival's overall duration is ten days and is celebrated by the Angami tribe. If you are here in February, you should attend this festival as you will get to see some of the unforgettable visuals of your life. Each day, the festival is different.
Only the young and bachelor men are permitted to work for the festival on the first day. The second day begins and ends with the hunting of animals for the celebrations. Further, in the major part of the festival, which is the middle days, the hunted animals are slaughtered, cooked, and served to the people. Men slaughter the animals, and women cook them. The fourth day is dedicated to young couples who exchange gifts and express their love. People with their loved ones spend the last few days of the Sekrenyi.
This early-year festival in Nagaland is celebrated to please the demon “Thilha,” who is believed to visit the place. Overall, it is a religious festival celebrated by the Kuki tribe to please the demon. In light of the same, numerous bizarre rituals are performed. They are surefire to amaze you.
During the festival, you will witness the sacrifice of the foul to please the deity. Till now, it may seem a bit dark to you. Here is something interesting. People of the Kuki tribe gather in the Peren district to celebrate the festival by playing tribal instruments and dancing. On top of that, there are various fairs and events that you can attend. And if we come to food, the festival hosts several stalls that sell ethnic dishes. So, it is the complete package for your trip.
Like there is a festival for the beginning of the harvest, Tokhu Emong is the festival for the end of the harvest season. The Lotha tribe of Nagaland celebrates it in November. Unlike many other state festivals, this one is less intense and celebrated with glory.
During the festival, the people of the tribe spend their time singing, dancing, and drinking with their friends and family. Above all reasons, the key motive for celebrating this festival is to take a rest day after the harvest is completed successfully. Do witness this festival in Nagaland.
The Hega festival of the landlocked state is dedicated to god. The Zeliang community of Nagaland celebrates this festival in February for five days. Each festival day has a different name. The first day is named Hega Teu Dap, and the second day is called Herie Kap. Similarly, on the third day, Tsing Rak, Rodi is the name of the fourth day, and the last day is Koksui.
Being one of the most popular harvest festivals, Hega is popular for people coming together and praising god for his blessings. The festival is about joy and bonding between the community. It is also believed that if a couple gets engaged or married on these festive days, they have a happy and fruitful married life. The cultural dance and folk music performances are worth a watch during the festival.
If you like to be a spectator of games, the Naknyulem festival is the one to attend. The festival is lively and celebrated by the Chang tribe as per their pure customs and traditions. Naknyulem is an act to promote friendship, celebrated in July.
The primary part of the festival is the games, such as the long jump, high jump, tug of war, top spinning, and more that are surefire to drag you into nostalgia. Some strange games too will amuse you, such as grabbing the cooked pork with your mouth. You may also get to hear the sound of the Naga instrument only played by women.
As mentioned above, there are over 16 different tribes in Nagaland, and all of them have their way of celebrating the harvest. The way the Sumi tribe celebrates its harvest is known as the Tuluni festival. Celebrated for three days in July, people who work on the farms all over the year get to rest on these days.
The Sumi festival is special for new couples as their official marriage is arranged during this festival. During the three days, numerous old rituals and ceremonies are observed, and several special dishes are prepared. The star of the festival is the rice beer that is prepared at home and is served in goblets made from plantation leaves. Parties and feasts are organised along with exchanging gifts. Thus, making Tuluni the best festival in Nagaland.
The oldest tribe of the country resides in the North Eastern region, and their traditions and cultures are way different than other tribes. Moatsii Mong is a festival that the Ao tribe celebrates uniquely. Unlike other tribes, the people of the Ao tribe complete some crucial tasks before the festival.
The celebration begins after accomplishing their village tasks like repairing roads, houses, sowing seeds, and cleaning the ponds and wells. People of the tribe celebrate it with plentiful dancing, drinking, and feasting. Beer is brewed during the festival, along with the cooking of roast pig and barley bread. Men of the tribe present warrior-style dance while women sing about their bravery. The Mokokchung district of Nagaland hosts this unique festival.
The Dimasa Kachari tribe of the state celebrates this festival in the final weeks of January. It is celebrated after the season's final harvest, where the people present the entire harvest to Dimasa God Brai Sibrai Madai. This is done with the belief to attain peace. During the festival, people carry out various traditional rituals and ceremonies to please the god.
Phangsla (intricately crafted gate) is installed at the village entrance to make it look festive. Religious rituals are undertaken, followed by a giant feast for the people. Further, the playing of drums and music happens along with dancing. The best thing is that people cook feast together for the entire village. So, if you are in Nagaland, participate in this festival.
If you're excited to attend the vibrant festivals of Nagaland, you may be pondering how to plan your trip. Fortunately, Adotrip.com can take care of that. Our tours and travel planning expertise guarantee a hassle-free and enjoyable travel experience. Our extensive service list includes visa assistance, flight and hotel bookings, sightseeing tours, and more. Additionally, we can assist you in finding the best travel packages and accommodations deals. So, sit back and relax. We will ensure that you enjoy a memorable time in Nagaland.
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Q. What are the main festivals celebrated in Nagaland?
A. Most of the significant festivals of Nagaland are for the harvest season. However, if you want to see the state's culture, witness the joy of the Mimkut, Hornbill, and Hega festivals.
Q. What is the significance of these festivals in Nagaland's culture and tradition?
A. These festivals signify that the people of Nagaland are close to god. They present their harvests to god, pray for a better future, and even offer gratitude.
Q. How can visitors participate in these festivals?
A. As these festivals are in different districts, the exact participation process can be known at the location. However, some festivals like Tsukheneye don’t allow women to participate.
Q. Are there any special performances or events visitors should watch during the festivals?
A. Yes, there are some remarkable performances, like cultural dances, musical instruments, and games, that visitors should look out for. The motor rally of the Hornbill festival, the games of the Naknyulem festival, and the sound of the Naga instrument of the Naknyulem festival are some of them.
Q. What are some famous food items visitors can try during the festivals?
A. Some famous delicacies that will make your drool are rice beer, Fermented dry fish, Aikibeye, Bushmeat, and more!
Q. What kind of accommodations are available for visitors during the festivals?
A. Homestays are popular in Nagaland, where locals offer visitors their home space for staying. Other than that, there are choices for hotels too.
Q. What are some of the ideal places to witness the festivals in Nagaland?
A. All festivals, including the Nagaland music festival, are hosted by a particular district. Therefore, to witness each festival, you must be in a different district, like Kohima for hornbill, Phek for Tsukheneye, and Mon for Aoleang.
Q. Are there any specific dos and don'ts that visitors should be aware of during the festivals?
A. There are some do’s and don’ts for the visitors, such as respecting their eating habits, staying with your luggage at all times, dressing traditionally if you participate in an event, and don’t go to isolated places without a guide.
Q. How can visitors reach the festival venues in Nagaland?
A. You can take local buses or book a taxi to travel across the districts in Nagaland.
Q. What kind of souvenirs or gifts can visitors buy during the festivals?
A. The northeastern state is primarily famous for organic and wooden handicraft products. You can buy products made of abaca, water lily, grass, etc. Further, there are footwear, wall decor, bags, and purses shopping options.
--- Published By Adotrip
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