Of Tribes and Terrains, A Hornbill Chapter

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From₹34,300
Price
From₹34,300
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  • Tent- Group ITents in JakhamaAvailable: 12 seats
  • Cabin - Group ICabins in JakhamaAvailable: 12 seats
  • Homestay -Group IIDzukou campsite on Day 6Available: 12 seats
  • Homestay without Dzukou Group IIHomestay on all days with an extra day at the festivalAvailable: 12 seats

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Of Tribes and Terrains

A Hornbill Chapter

With no local script, the ancient history of Nagaland is quite unclear. The earliest records of the presence of the Naga people in the region dates back to 1228 CE. However, what we do know for sure is that Nagaland was an independent state without much interaction with the outside world due to cultural barriers and geographical isolation.

Life remained fairly undisturbed until the British annexed Assam in 1826 and the warrior tribes of the hills of the Assam Valley (now referred to as the Nagas) came to their notice. Over the next few decades, hostility rose as the people of Nagaland fought hard to protect their land and identity and a series of battles were fought where many British soldiers, as well as Naga warriors, lost their lives.

Nagaland holds a stunning amalgamation of diverse cultures that are evident in everything from language and cuisine to attire and traditional machetes. The Hornbill Festival is an annual cultural celebration held in the beautiful state of Nagaland, India. The festival, that annually takes place from December 1 to 10, was created in 2000 to showcase the rich and unique culture of the 17 major tribes residing in the state.

Decades later, the World War II has a huge impact on the peace of the land for a considerable period of time. Even after that, post the independence of India, the people of Nagaland came into friction with the Indian Government as they fought for regional autonomy. These instances of conflict over and over again (British invasion, World War II and then finally against the Indian Army) lead to a lot of the traditional culture, from customs to regional architecture of the land, being burnt away over time.

From the year 1963 onwards, Nagaland was given its own statehood under the Indian constitution. As of today, 17 major tribes are officially recognized in Nagaland. Apart from these, there are numerous sub-tribes that dwell in the state.

Named after the revered hornbill bird, which is seen as a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Naga culture, the festival provides a platform for these tribes to come together and share their heritage through various art forms, including local music, dance, and sports. Visitors can indulge in traditional Naga cuisine, witness cultural performances, watch traditional sports like wrestling and archery and learn all about the distinct cultural diversity the state holds.

The Hornbill Festival was conceived as a means to encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote the cultural heritage of Nagaland, ensuring that the wealth of Naga traditions is celebrated and preserved for generations to come. Each edition of the festival, while rooted in tradition, seeks to add contemporary elements and broader social interactions, making it a mirror reflecting both the ancient and the modern aspects of Naga society.

Join us this December to witness the state of Nagaland come alive with colourful outfits, traditional boozy brews, mouth watering food, and a lot of song and dance in the Hornbill Festival.

  • Walk through Asia’s first Green Village, Khonoma, and learn traditional farming practices
  • Experience Angami hospitality — from harvesting veggies to cooking dinner with your host
  • Explore local craftsmanship, Morungs, and village architecture in Khonoma and Dzüleke
  • Immerse yourself in the diversity of Naga tribes through dance, music, food, and games in the Hornbill Festival
  • Attend the opening ceremony of the Hornbill festival
  • Hop between Morungs to sample traditional brews and local delicacies
  • Participate in cultural activities and shop for unique crafts at the festival grounds
  • Relax in the serene hills of Dzüleke with forest hikes and waterfall dips
  • Trek to the breathtaking Dzükou Valley, known for its winter stillness and endless rolling hills
  • Camp under the stars, surrounded by untouched natural beauty
  • Visit the World War II Cemetery and Kohima State Museum for a historical deep dive
  • Wander through Kohima’s bustling local market to see modern Naga life in motion

Get Detailed Itinerary

Frequently asked questions

What are the differences between the 4 Hornbill Group Trips?

There are two travel date options to choose from:

Group 1 & 2: 29th November – 6th December
These trips include the Opening Ceremony of the Hornbill Festival on 1st December.

Group 3 & 4: 7th December – 14th December
These trips include the Closing Ceremony of the Hornbill Festival on 10th December.

The main difference between each pair of groups is the style of stay in Jakhama during the Hornbill Festival:

Groups 1 & 3: Stay at a campsite in Jakhama (3 nights)
Perfect for those who enjoy a more immersive, outdoorsy experience with evenings by the bonfire and a chance to connect with fellow travelers. The bathrooms are shared, but clean, comfortable, and hygienic.

Groups 2 & 4: Stay at a homestay in Jakhama (3 nights)
Ideal for those who prefer a bit more comfort, with private rooms, attached washrooms, and cozy beds to relax in after a day at the festival.

The arrival on Day 1 has to be a maximum of 12:30 pm. The group will depart from the airport by 1:00 pm at the latest. Any arrivals post that (due to timings/flight delays), will have to get to destination at their own expense.

We highly recommend flying in a day prior if the flights don’t match this timings. The trip ends at Dimapur Airport/Station at 10:30 am.

Flight out can be anytime post noon.

The exact schedule of the festival is usually released by the third week of November. You can expect to see a lot of music, local food, local alcohol, and most importantly the hospitality of the Nagas while at the festival

The cultural diversity of northeast India is so vast that we can’t blame outsiders for not being aware of communities in the region who are purely vegetarians, so much so that they avoid eating onions( they are indigenous to the region, in case you are thinking about communities from mainland India who have settled here). Having said that, we must admit that the region’s food habits especially in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya are predominantly non vegetarian with a whole lot of red meat based preparations. But the states have warmed up to tourists recently and almost every place you visit will provide the Indian staple diet of rice, dal and sabji, even chapatis if you are lucky. Your craving for butter paneer may not be satisfied, but you will do just fine as far as maintaining your health and strength is concerned.

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