6 Festivals in Nagaland You Should Experience

This Nagaland festival name is famous throughout the country. People even around the world come to Nagaland to take part in the festival. So, it’s obvious that we have this festival on our list. Before we get into the fun festivities, here’s the story of its origin. The Nagaland Government first organised this festival in 2000. The purpose of this festival was to encourage inter-tribal interactions. And from then on, every year between 1st December and 10th December, the people of Nagaland gather at the Naga Heritage village, located at a distance of 12 km from Kohima and celebrate the festival with the same passion!

The Hornbill festival is also nicknamed the ‘festival of festivals in India’s Nagaland’, such is its grandeur! The major highlights are the religious rituals, traditional dance performances and tribal artwork exhibitions. While you enjoy all these, you must taste some local delicacies. It will be quite an interesting journey for your tongue! And if you feel a little adventurous, take part in the chilli-eating festivals.

After enjoying Hornbill Festival in December, let’s explore the Mim Kut Festival in January, an important festival of Nagaland. The Kuki tribe of Nagaland believes that a demon named Thilha visits their lands in the month of January and they must please the demon. That is why, on the 17th day of January, they come together in the Peren District and perform many traditional rituals. Other than the enthralling rituals, there are many more activities that draw people to this festival!

The people wear their traditional clothes, plays tribal instruments like longhorns and drums. And they spend the day dancing and enjoying themselves. To make things even more fun, many fairs and events are organised. And finally comes the food. You will see many stalls selling ethnic dishes. Have some food, dance a little and let the festive vibes fill your heart with warmth!

Which month is next? February? In that case, it’s time for another traditional festival of Nagaland, the Sekrenyi Festival. This festival has great religious value. The Angami tribe celebrate the festival in Kohima with the purpose to cleanse their soul and body of all sins. The festival starts around 25th February and the celebrations last 10 to 15 days. The old people sprinkle holy water on themselves on the first day. On the second day, the young members of the community perform some purification rituals. The fourth day is for couples! If two young people have feelings for each other, they can exchange gifts on this day. Basically, each day of the Sekrenyi Festival has certain rituals!

The most fun thing about this festival is that for these 10-15 days, the whole tribe takes a break from work and enjoy their time together. It really helps to reconnect and strengthen the bond in the tribe! If you want to enjoy this festival to the fullest, we suggest a long trip to Nagaland. That way, you can see all the rituals!

Agriculture continues to be a major livelihood of the country and we can’t be more thankful for the harvests we receive every year. In honour of the harvests, many people around the country celebrate many festivals. The Aoleng Festival of the Mon District is one such festival. When the fields are sown with seeds, the Konyak tribe celebrates the Aoleng Festival and prays for a good harvest. The celebrations also mark the ending of the current year and the forthcoming of a new year.

Much like most festivals of Nagaland, this festival also has certain rituals and activities. Along with religious ceremonies, there are music and dance performances as well. There is another important aspect of this festival! The festival also aims to fill the communication gap between the Government and the people as well as within the people. With so many values associated with it, this is a must-have on your Nagaland festival list. And to be part of this festival, you have to visit Nagaland between 25th February and 5th March!

We have another harvest festival on our list. And this one is the Ao people’s celebration. The time when the fields are cleaned and new seeds are sown is the happiest time for the AO people. They start the celebrations by offering their gratitude to their ancestors and the forests. Another important ritual is lighting a fire named sangpangtu. The men and women, dressed in their finest clothes, sit around the fire, dig in delicious food and spend the time singing and dancing.

After the rituals come to a story-telling session. The young members tell funny stories and share laughs. And then there is the fun game, tug of war. It’s the men vs. the women of the tribe. Locals say that the men get so mesmerised by the beauty of the women that they always end up losing! If you want to witness all the amazing rituals and fun games of the three-day-long Moatsii Mong festival, make sure to visit Nagaland in the first week of May.

While the Konyak tribe celebrate their harvest festival at the end of February and the Moatsii Mong tribe in May, the Dimasa-Kachari tribe has their harvest festival at the end of January. The celebration starts by yielding the paddy fields to the Brai Sibrai Madai God. The first night of the festival is spent with music and dancing. The men wear traditional clothes and play traditional drums, Kharam. The second day is all about fun games.

Talking about the food, large feasts are prepared for all the tribe members and visitors as well. So, come to Nagaland during the Bushu Dima. See all the rituals, take part in the games and eat to your heart content! It will surely be an experience to cherish for a lifetime!

Nagaland already is on many travellers’ bucket lists. And these vibrant festivals make the state’s place even stronger on the list of places to visit in north east India!