Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 9 (EMN): The Hornbill Festival was disrupted for two consecutive years just when it was gaining momentum in terms of tourist inflow and popularity, but the essence of Nagaland’s cultural extravaganza remains the same and people continue to visit the state during the event to witness the unique experience it offers.
This year too, the Hornbill Festival has attracted more than one lakh visitors so far, according to Tourism department’s record.
https://youtu.be/p-wWs2fYyeMVisitors -- domestic and international -- shared their Hornbill Festival experience with Eastern Mirror on Friday, a day before the 10-day event comes to a close.
Michael Wolfe from the United States, who reached Kisama on December 7, said that it was his first visit to Nagaland and India.
He said that a friend, who happens to be organising a campsite around Kisama, told him about the Hornbill Festival when he was on a visit to Sikkim, after which he decided to witness the event.
"I understood it was a cultural event that happens every year in Nagaland. So, I was very interested to check it out," he shared.
He said that the festival is "very interesting" and in a lot of ways unlike anything he has seen before.
‘There is a lot of varieties- music, dance, martial arts, wrestling, traditional games, food and drinks, so there is a lot going on here,’ said Wolfe who describes himself as ‘not a big festival person’.
While maintaining that he is interested in food, he said the festival has a lot to offer regardless of one’s interest.
When asked if he would visit again, he said that can always come back next time as the festival is organised every year.
Vijay Sood from New Delhi, who is an expert in financial sector, shared that the Hornbill Festival has been on his bucket list for a long time. He said he was glad to have "finally" made it.
‘It was a great experience and the programming is quite good,’ said Sood, who has checked out various stalls at Kisama.
Jaimini Bhagwati, former India's High Commissioner to UK and Indian Ambassador to European Union and World Bank specialist, shared that it was witnessing the Hornbill Festival for the first time.
Currently a distinguished fellow at Centre for Social and Economic Progress, New Delhi, Bhagwati was born at Tezpur and grew up in New Delhi.
He said that he enjoyed the cultural activities since the morning of day- nine, Friday.
He added that he was delighted to have Naga rice beer and engaged in rice pounding, which was demonstrated in the Angami morung.
"I'm happy to be here and wish lot of success to this festival for many more years to come," the former diplomat said.
Rakesh Sood, India's former ambassador to France, Nepal, Afghanistan and Conference on Disarmament, said that he had heard about the Hornbill Festival for many years and was looking forward to witnessing it.
"I must say that I still am very excited and I hope to be back once again to attend more and more of the Hornbill Festival," he said.
He added that he was in Nagaland in 1977 and it was a pleasure to be back to enjoy the warmth hospitality.
For Ruati from Mizoram, who came along with her friends, the long wait is over.
She said that she had been longing to witness the Hornbill Festival for a long time. She said they are planning to stay till the last day of the festival, which she described as the "greatest tribal festival in India".
"I like the people of Nagas so much. We are very similar in our looks, our taste and people here are friendly. I love Nagaland and I wish to come again next year," she added.