DIMAPUR — Naga Heritage Village, the site of
the ongoing Hornbill Festival, symbolises a harmonious blend of tradition and
modernity. The village houses a cluster of 17 tribal huts known as Morungs or
youth dormitories, each uniquely designed to represent a distinct tribe.
The morungs are adorned with indigenous design and cultural
motifs, providing a fascinating insight into the Naga way of life. Visitors are
treated with a captivating spectacle of tribal dance, local cuisine, songs and
rituals that encapsulate the essence of Naga culture, stated a DIPR report.
One among them is the Ao morung where Ao Naga delicacies are
one of the favorites of the local visitors and the tourists. Some of the hot
dishes in Ao morung available are dry pork cooked with Anishi, rosup dish, pork
with bamboo shoot, amrusu and fish cooked in bamboo tubes.
Rosup is a traditional and signature dish of the Ao Naga
tribe. It is a dish made of mixed vegetables, dry fish and bamboo shoots. The
bamboo shoot is used in both dried and fermented form by the Aos.
Traditional Ao Naga foods are spicy and non-vegetarian.
Anishi is another delicacy in Ao Morung. It is made of
fermented taro leaves made into patties and then smoked over the fire or sun
dried and is often cooked with dried pork and dried fish.
For anyone seeking a profound local delicacy and cultural
experience, the Hornbill Festival is an un-missable event which not only offers
a glimpse into the soul of Nagaland but also reaffirms the enduring relevance
of cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world, the report stated.
The festival encapsulates the spirit of unity in diversity
leaving an indelible mark on all those who partake in the celebration.
