Glimpses of Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival 2018: Day 4

Source: DIPR

Rev. Fred Nile graces cultural extravaganza on day 4 of Hornbill Festival 

The fourth day of the Hornbill festival was graced by Rev. Fred Nile, ED Member of Legislative Council, Australia at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on 4^th December, 2018 with Deputy Speaker, Zhaleo Rio and Advisor V&AH, Women Resource Department, R. Khing as host of the event.

The 4^thDay of the cultural show at the Hornbill Festival 2018 began with a victory dance by the Zeliang cultural troupe which is called Rehoi Lim. This dance is performed by men over 15 years of age.  It symbolises victory over enemies or big animals which was considered as an equal trophy.

This was followed by bamboo dance called Sutha Lam by the Kuki Troupe which originated from the story of a village chief’s daughter and an orphan boy who were lovers. The chief asked the boy to undergo a test. His test was to jump in and out of the ensuing gaps successfully to the measure of speed timed by the drum. He successfully got through the test by singing “chom chomdoh in” which means “jump in, jump out”.

Lunso Beru Cultural Club of Shamator Town from the Yimchunger troupe performed Kheangberü Khün, a folk song which is sung during Tsüngkamnio festival which occurs during the second week of January.

Sumi cultural troupe performed Babu Shiha Salam Salam, which is an indigenous game and originated in Yemishe village during the British rule in India. It was particularly performed by the village community to welcome and honor the British officials.

Sangtam cultural troupe performed folk song and dance Hooto Hooto which is performed only by men folk during the Mungmung festival. The men dance and sing holding each other’s hand.

Ngada dance was performed by the Rengma cultural troupe. Ngada festival is celebrated towards the end of November, marking the completion of an agricultural cycle.

Folk dance, Kharamjang Bai Hadubani performed by Dimasa Kachari cultural troupe depicts hoeing and tilling of jhum fields by villagers for cultivation of paddy and other crops. Kharamjang Bai Hadubani literally means ‘cultivating with drum beats.’

Pochury folk dance Athso Theserie was also performed, in this dance, the performers leap up high and stamp on the ground, signifying their strength, flexibility and alertness which they employ to fight their enemies during times of war.

Pitho Tsali, rice pounding song, which is sung when friends and neighbours come together to pound rice, was performed by the Angami cultural troupe. Usually, men pound the rice grain and the women winnow and remove the husk. Phom cultural troupe performed Shangi Apai Hommu Yubu Nyih (The descending from Mount Yingnyu).

Lotha cultural troupe performed traditional dance Otchu Tanki Ohan Tanki which is an indigenous game played by the women in their traditional attire. Konyak cultural troupe performed Lamphoon Moarao Man Thoa Haap which literally means war-skill game.

Konyak cultural troupe performed a folk dance called Khio Lak Tsuhang. This dance is unique in that it is not performed frequently, the village only organises this dance when there is no blessing in the village and when mentally ill and dumb people increase in number.

The Garo cultural troupe demonstrated Ro’ongDea, an indigenous game which loosely resembles the modern day weight lifting. This was followed by a folk song, Sukem Chia, by the Chang cultural troupe. This song is sung during celebratory occasions where the wealthy citizen would offer Mithun for the festive season.

The Chakesang cultural troupe from Leshemi Village performed a migration skit while the Asetkong Cultural troupe from the Ao tribe performed head hunter’s dance which signifies the procession of the warriors across the village towards the altar where the heads are to be kept.

The Chief Guest for the evening session of the Cultural Show was Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Telangana B. Venkatesham, IAS with host Secretary, Tourism Department T. Mhabemo Yanthan.

WOODCARVING MADE OF ALDER TREES AT KISAMA

A young and energetic youth from Jakhama village named Kelethuto Yosa who did his BA History (Honours) from Delhi University run a stall “Yosa Furniture Unit”, made purely of Alder tree, also known as the state tree of Nagaland at Bamboo Pavilion, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

He started this unique venture as part of the Hornbill festival, though simple and impressive but never fails to get a glimpse of people crossing by. He ventured into this business out of his passion for handicrafts and woodcarving.

At the same time, he also expressed his enthusiasm on tourism thereby promoting our ethnicity in the form of showcasing our culture and tradition to the outside world. He further said that Hornbill festival is the perfect platform to exhibit our culture and heritage and how the naga people are distinct from others in terms of culture and tradition.

He said the items in his stall like stools, Dining tables, Centre tables etc are purely made of Alder tress found at Jakhama village aging more than 200 to 300 years. People, particularly the tourists coming from outside the state, desire to buy his products as a token but they cannot due to lack of transportation and difficulties in shipping or courier services, he said.

NWVA FOOD STALL AT KISAMA

Nagaland Women Voluntary Association is running a food stall at Kisama Heritage Village as part of the ten-day Hornbill Celebration. The stall offers buffet for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

The Association comprises of the lady wives of state legislators, Lady AHoDs and Lady HoDs. The funds from the profits are being used for charity works in the State especially during Independence Day and Republic Day.

‘MYKI’ PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY AT KISAMA

The Women Resource Department has set up a department stall where the products of “MYKI” are on display for exhibition cum sale as part of the ongoing Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. The acronym MY is My and KI is House which means My House Production.

The stall showcases a variety of products made by Self Help Groups with the initiative and support of the Women Resource Department.

Apart from carrying bags, Mekhelas, Neck Warmer, Caps, Wrapping Papers, Baskets, Handbags, the department also emphasises on food items prepared by SHGs formed by the department in the districts where the raw materials are brought from different districts in the state. This event will continue as an annual event coinciding with the Hornbill festival.

NAGALAND COFFEE AT KISAMA

Nagaland Coffee at Kisama is a coffee stall run by Kajukho Arucho, Vivito Yeptho and Dr. Peter Vermeulen from the South Africa which is being promoted by the Department of Land Resources.

The main purpose of setting up Nagaland Coffee stall at Kisama during the Hornbill Festival is to promote the Nagaland coffee to the outside world. Besides promoting, it is also to encourage and help our young naga boys and girls to develop a sense of responsibility in this fast changing world.

The coffee served at the stall is brought from Wokha, Zunheboto, Mon and Mokokchung districts. Nagaland Coffee is presently exporting to the countries of South Africa, Dubai and Bahrain.

A variety of coffee such as Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Americano, Flat White and Scotch Espresso is available at all times.