Nagaland is a domicile place to different colorful tribes, where they observe various festivals over all the year; all their festivals are basically related to agriculture, so most of the festivals come after the sowing work is done for yielding, it is considered that there is a need of relaxation and enjoyment after such a hard work. People from all age groups enjoy to the fullest with music, dance and many other activities that are part of the celebrations, they show their love towards life by Nagas. There are three major festivals that the tribes of Nagaland celebrate they are as follows:
Hornbill Festival
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- In the month of : December 1st week
- Venue : Kohima in Nagaland
- Celebrated by : All Nagaland tribes
- Duration : Eight Days
Prolusion:
The festivals are celebrated with fervor and gusto by the Nagaland tribes, majorly, sixty percentage of the population is dependant on agriculture, so all major festivals revolve around agriculture, these festivals are considered as sacred and hence participation becomes compulsory here. You can also call Nagaland as a land of festivals; this is because, each tribe makes a point to celebrate each festival related to it with passion and dedication. Here are the significant festivals celebrated in Nagaland they are : Tsukhenyie by the Chakhesangs in January, Bushu by the Kacharis in January, Mimkut by the Kukis in January, Aoling by the Konyaks in April, Moatsu by the Aos in May, Tuluni by the Sumis in July, Sekrenyi by the Angamis in February, Tokhu Emong by the Lothas in November, Nyaknylum by the Changs in July and Yemshe by the Pochurys in October.
So to increase the interaction between the inter-tribes and to uphold Nagaland’s cultural heritage, Hornbill Festival is organized each year in the December’s 1st week, by the Government of Nagaland.
Fiesta:
Having its organization done through State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, here is the platform for knowing the rich and varied culture of Nagaland and that too under single roof. The location of this festival at a distance of 12 kilometres from Kohima in Kisama and this takes place on the 1st and 7th December of every year. People who visit the Hornbill Festival are to make them understand the culture and the people associated with it. It surely remains in your schedule, that after visiting this festival the things that you have enjoyed during the due course of visiting Nagaland where you enjoyed the dances, songs, foods and traditions of Nagaland.
Significant Features:
The name of this festival is after Hornbill the bird that is a internationally appreciated bird and is in the display of the folklore of the majority of the tribes of the states. Due to this Hornbill Festival the people in Nagaland come united and spent time with each other, this increases the bonding between people and also at the time of Hornbill Festival, you can see more life in Nagaland.
Moatsu Festival
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- Celebrated By: Ao Tribe.
- Duration: One week.
- In the Month of: 1st Week of May.
- Venue: Mokokchung of Nagaland.
Prolusion:
The Ao tribe of Nagaland celebrates Moatsu Festival; this festival takes place in the 1st week of May every year. There are many other rituals that are performed during this period. After sowing is done Aos observe Moatsu. The period of the festival is the duration of enjoyment and recreation for the Aos after the burning jungles, clearing fields, sowing seeds, cleaning up of wells called as Tsubu and construction & repairs of houses, make everyone relax and stress free during the festival that stretches for one week.
Peppy dances and songs are the main attraction of the Moatsu Festival. Sangpangtu, lighting up of a big fire with men and women sitting around the fire with best attire and awesome food, is the symbolic celebration of the Moatsu Festival. The person who lives under the guidance of the Almighty does forecast about the evil and good days that may come in the way of the people or the village on reading the celebration of the Moatsu Festival.
Rituals and Customs:
The legend of the rituals of this festival goes around like there was a natural custom wherein there was a practice performed by the forefathers of coming up with the best rice beer by rigging the best possible cows and pigs for slaughtering at the time of the festival. During the festivals all the women are in the best attire with fine jewellery, they even join men in the folk dancing, eating, drinking and composing of warrior songs. The old people of the village sing songs dedicated to their lover or the whole village and also encourage the young folks to be strong and heroic to be protective from enemies since the fore-fathers head hunting is practiced here.
Main aim of the festival:
The chief aim behind the celebration of Moatsu Festival is to invoke God’s blessings after the completion of activities like ploughing of new and old Jhum kheti, cleaning of water wells (Tsubu), construction and repair of the house by elders of the Village Council, Putu Menden.
Monyu Festival
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- Celebrated In: Pongo in Nagaland.
- In the Month of: April.
Monyu Festival is also known as Phom Monyu Festival as it is celebrated by the Phom tribe of Nagaland. Monyu Festival is the grandest and the most popular festival that is celebrated in the month of April after the work of sowing is done and spreads over till six days. This festival also marks the end of winter and spring begins here. Also before the festival comes on its way there is a green signal for the dawning of the festival that is done by beating the drum with a familiar tune this moment is called as Lan Nyangshem. At the time of this festival the elders of the village perform a ritual of prediction of the future festivals, if there are some dangers in the prediction, and then the villagers are warned to be cautious during the festival. This festival also says bye to the going year and welcomes the coming year, this is the time when prayers and dedication is in full swing for the crops that are already sowed.
The chief occasion that takes place in the Monyu Festival is when the family’s male member shows his love and affection to his married daughters and sisters by presenting them pure rice beer and special food. During this festival the planning and welfare of the community related issues are also decided during this festival. The first day of the Monyu Festival is the day of overall preparations that should take place during the festival, like preparation of the domestic chores; everyone collects covering leaves and bamboos on this day, and on the second day of the festival brewing of rice beer is done. There are different programs for different age groups on the third day of the festival, ranging from the youngest and the oldest age group all get engaged in singing folk songs, dancing, merry-making and many more. There are general festive days on the fourth and fifth day, for the arrival of guests from the nearby villages. On the final day of the festival the elderly people feast by exchanging a jug of rice beer.
On the last day of the Monyu Festival the most popular game that is played is ‘Swing’ which is made out of wild rope, the whole process takes place in the ritualistic way.
- Suggested Read: Top Things to Do in Nagaland
