Fairs and Festivals in Nagaland

Why Tribal Communities of Nagaland Celebrates Fairs and Festivals?

16 tribal communities in Nagaland celebrate fairs and festivals to mark happiness. A few celebrate to receive inner peace by performing different rituals. At the same time, the rest of the tribal groups celebrate festivals mainly revolving around agriculture. Even tourists and locals can indulge in the festivities of pre-harvest, post-harvest, sowing celebration, thanksgiving, soil fertility, community bonding, purification, and rejuvenation.

Witness the paradoxical push and pull of vibrant traditions and influences of different Naga tribes. An electric mix of folk dances and local music celebrations attracts many tourists in good faith. When planning your visit to Nagaland, consider these fairs and festivals in Nagaland and sync up with your excursion.

Hornbill Festival

• Highlight: You will see the enthusiastic cultural fervor of all the tribes/Nagas of Nagaland.
• Duration: 10 days (approx.)
• Festival Month: First week of December.
• Belongs to Which Tribe: Multiple Tribe/Nagas come together under one roof

The grandness and festive charm of the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland is unmatchable. Held in Kisama Village annually in the first week of December, Hornbill Festival is the biggest celebration of Nagaland as it brings all of the tribal communities together under one roof. The festival is a unique fervor of traditional costumes, lip-smacking local food, display of tribal artworks, religious ceremonies, and traditional dances. You can understand the charm and importance of the Hornbill Festival, which is named after the state bird - the Hornbill. The Government of Nagaland first introduced this festival amongst the tourists to boost tourists' interactions with the tribal communities.

Why Attend the Hornbill Festival?

You must attend the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland to learn about the rich traditional customs of the Nagas community. You will come across all the Nagas tribes under one roof, indulging in dance, laugh, and feast. Also, the brotherhood amongst the communities could be seen. You can also buy handcrafted and hand-woven items, which is delightful for shopaholics.

Sekrenyi Festival

• Highlight: Women start weaving handwoven shawls for their men, which they wear during the purification rituals.
• Duration: 8 to 10 days (approx.)
• Festival Month: February Annually
• Belongs to Which Tribe: Angami Nagas

The festive spirit of the Sekrenyi Festival in Nagaland is a sight to behold if you are planning to visit Nagaland in February. This festival is linked with agricultural practices and marks the purification and sanctification of the mind, body, and soul. Angami Nagas celebrate Sekrenyi Festival for 10 days annually in February. Locals and tourists alike get to indulge together in an assortment of festivities, food, and fun. The main ceremony of the Sekrenyi Festival commenced on the 8th day. The ceremony starts when young bachelor men do well-cleaning work outside the village. Post doing this; they sprinkle the sacred water by sacrificing the cock (not chicken). Then, the tribal people accumulated the wild fruits to decorate their ancestor's houses, followed by savoring rice-made beer.

Why Attend the Sekrenyi Festival?

Animals are hunted for cooking which is being served as the food for the festival attendees. The oven in which the food is prepared is destroyed after the festival ends. However, it is a traditional festival, but you will come across young men and women exchanging love vows and gifts to express their love for each other. When the festival's final day arrives, people sit together and eat cooked food. The ancestors of Angami Nagas believed that Sekrenyi Festival promotes harmony amongst each other.

Aoleng Festival

• Highlight: The Konyak people are tattooed men who are famous for their headhunting practices.
• Duration: 6 days (approx.)
• Festival Month: First week of April
• Belongs to Which Tribe: Konyak Tribe

Why Attend the Aoleng Festival?

If you are a folk music enthusiast, this is a perfect festival you can attend. You will meet tattooed members of the Konyak Tribe, which were once known for their fantastic headhunting skills. The tribal people are so friendly with the tourists. So, attend Aoleng Festival and meet the headhunting community.

Naknyulem Festival

• Highlight: People invoke god blessings from their special rituals.
• Duration: 6 days (approx.)
• Festival Month: End of July
• Belongs to Which Tribe: Chang Tribe

Why Attend the Naknyulem Festival?

To enjoy a gala time at the festival.

Mimkut Festival

• Highlight: People please and honor the local demon “Thilha.”
• Duration: 2 to 3 days (approx.)
• Festival Month: Later part of December
• Belongs to Which Tribe: Kuki Tribe/Nagas

Why Attend the Mimkut Festival?

First of all the festival is held for a shorter duration of 2 days! Secondly, music pulsates from the large traditional drums and other elegant instruments are a treat for everyone. Locals and tribal people wear traditional attires, and several food stalls are set up to keep the festive spirit going. Traveling with your family, get ready to indulge in several fairs, contests, and games.

Bushu Dima

• Highlight: Dance, feast, and outdoor games are the highlight.
• Duration: 3 days (approx.)
• Festival Month: Later part of December
• Belongs to Which Tribe: Dimasa Tribe/Nagas

When the January harvest gets completed, Bushu Dima is celebrated. The Dimasa Tribe people sing songs followed by drum beats, called ‘Kharam.’ Locals or Nagas spend their first night dancing enthusiastically, followed by their traditional attires. Throughout this festival, elders are respected by the youngsters through several religious ceremonies. Food is prepared, and arrangement for fun and frolic activities is done.

Why Attend the Bushu Dimla Festival?

Both adults and youngsters can indulge in amazing games like high jumps, long jumps, and similar.

Moatsu Mong

• Highlight: This festival is a very private affair of the Ao Tribe. You need to obtain the permission to be a part of this festival.
• Duration: 3 Days (approx.)
• Festival Month: Early May
• Belongs to Which Tribe: Ao Tribe/Nagas

Moatsu Mong Festival has celebrated almost all the regions of Nagaland with full zeal. The surprising thing about this tribal community is they are the first to embrace Western education and Christianity. Moatsu Festival marks the spring arrival and is considered auspicious amongst the locals to exchange vows. The festival runs for 3 days annually during early May. Suppose you are lucky enough to witness the Moatsu Mong Festival. In that case, you will come across that person of Ao Tribe members dancing to their peppy traditional songs and indulging in dance performances.

Why Attend the Moatsu Mong Festival?

To taste the meticulously crafted rice wines by the tribal people and the locals. A large bonfire is set up in the evening, and the men and the woman sit around encircling it.