The Great Hornbill: Harbinger of Good Tidings

The great hornbill (Buceros bicornis species) known as the great Indian hornbill (also known as Terha in Angami) of tropical forest clad is found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. This black and white bird has huge curved horny bill usually surmounted by casque, yellow, tinged with bright red at the tip and with orange in the middle. The bird’s age is known by the number of tooth like growth on the bill. The bird has excellent sense of hearing but poor eyesight. It is an enormous bird, one of the largest members of the hornbill family and its wings and long, white tail with double black stripes near its tips. They have interesting nesting habits such as sealing the entrance to the cavity in which the female incubates. The female is fed by the male throughout the incubation period of the eggs. As an intellectual bird, the male takes great care for contamination of food while fetching feeds to the female in order to avoid the female from sulking to death. By no stretch of the imagination can these birds be considered beautiful, yet hornbills are attractive, intriguing, fascinating, striking and even amusing in many of their unique habits. Hornbill birds are variable in habitat and does not confine to a particular region. These tropical to subtropical migratory birds go about in small flocks of a dozen or less and feed mainly on fruits and berries as their staple food. It will also prey on small mammals, birds, lizards, snakes and insects. The ability to fly long distances during their annual winter feeding grounds is reflected in the following typical features: • Forelimbs are modified as wings which help in flying • A streamlined body. Bones are hollow and filled up with air to reduce weight. • Entire body is covered by feathers called plumes which help in buoyancy of the bird. External feature of the bird Scientifically, the hornbill contributes immensely and plays a vital role in the process of conservation of ecological balance and ecosystems as dispersers of forest plants. Yet hornbill birds are today threatened by habitat hunting and loss of large trees that they need for feeding and nesting. Many Nagas expressed various opinions about the bird. Some were of the opinion that it was a bird of “Paradise” who came to enjoy a vacation on this terrestrial earth but unfortunately shot by man. They had a premonition that the hunting and killing of such unusual bird might be the signal for some terrible curse or calamity which might befall the man. The Sema, Nagas also consider the flesh unfit for eating, believing that it produces sores on their feet. Others were of the opinion that the bird augur well for man ushering in an era of exceptional prosperity in future. Various theories were advised by different people as the origin and unique peculiarity of the bird. But nobody could rightly conjecture about the real fact. However, there was a general consensus that the bird of “Paradise” had been sent to this Earth planet. It was then declared to be “the most beautiful bird” by common consent: “harbinger of good tidings for days to come”. It is also believed that “the coming of the hornbill birds in the winter is signified as a good fortune, tranquillity and peaceful co-existence”. The hornbill is also called “Strange bird” because of the majestic appearance and “double black stripes in its plumes marked on the wings and tail towards the tips”. It is the general beliefs of the Nagas that if a common man or cowards happen to shoot hornbill bird, it will fall down tail first and spoil its quill feathers in order not to let the common man use it but a brave or famous warrior shoot a hornbill bird as preferred, it will fall down head first so that its quill feathers remains intact. That is why hornbill feathers are valued for ceremonial head-dresses and adorned in a man’s hat and headgear and worn by only Anghs, Chieftains, and famous warriors as a sign of valour, heroism, bravery and fame. Its impressive size and colour have it important in many tribal cultures and rituals. The feather itself symbolizes the unity among the tribesmen. There was a myth in age old days; the hornbill feathers could not be worn by any man lest he was entitled and even if he had worn on his hat or headgear, the feathers itself pull out apart and fell down. Therefore to be fit to wear the feathers, a true warrior had to prove himself through an act of heroic deed to wear the feathers. In this day and age, not only famous warriors but even common men and women use hornbill feathers during festivities as traditional wears. The great hornbill is called a revered species in the Naga ethos. The striking of its double black stripe feathers are considered to be the precious ornament and golden treasures for the Nagas. The bird is the most enthralling and vibrant of Naga cultural way closely linked with social life which replicates the distinct colour and synonymous identity of the Nagas. Therefore, the great hornbill is being recognized as the symbol of Hornbill Festival. Use as a symbol: • Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. • State bird in Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh. • State bird & flag of Chin State in Myanmar. In this linkage, today, the whole Naga tribes celebrate Hornbill Festival which is one of the largest celebrations of the indigenous festival named after the Hornbill. Not only domestic and foreign tourists but even Nagas are mystified as to why Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland? In 2003, the 4th Hornbill Festival was held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama where one of the lady Tourists from Amsterdam, Netherlands has also queried. Is it because of too many Hornbills here? No. Of course most Nagas of the present generation conceivably have not seen a live hornbill but remnants of its feathers. No doubt, the common species is on the verge of extinction in our land due to rampant hunting and shooting. The Hornbill Festival is an annual tourism promotional event commencing from 1st December. The festival also aims to protect, preserve and sustain the richness of the Naga heritage and tradition under the aegis of Hornbill Festival. It captures to encompass all the elements of the major tribes and sub-tribes. Each tribe with their distinct identity in terms of dialect, customs, ethics and dress code goes on to form one mega mélange of Naga tradition and culture. In order to showcase and unveil the entire tribal festivals in one central venue spread over a continued time span, the State Government jointly organizes along with various tribal Unions and NGOs the annual Hornbill Festival at NHV, Kisama. The festival pays its rich tribute to the “great Hornbill” the much admired and revered bird for its double black stripe feathers and grandeur. This revered rare species bird is a replica of the social and cultural life of the Nagas as reflected in various folklore, music and dances. The flamboyant bird is symbolic of Nagaland and her people. The feathers is symbolically adorned or fitted on all traditional hats and headgears made out of bear’s skin and finely woven cane interlaced with strip bark of orchid being worn during festivities which signifies the commonness and uniqueness of all the Naga tribes. A festival without hornbill feathers is incomplete in the Naga ethos and would be regarded to the point of vulnerability. Thus, the seven to ten day Hornbill Festival and its events are being celebrated where tribes from every district in the State come together as one to celebrate the uniqueness of Naga culture thus keeping our tradition alive and preserved. Hornbill Festival therefore, has been registered and declared by the State Government of Nagaland as “a festival of all festivals”.