Nagaland Govt calls off iconic Hornbill Festival

KOHIMA: The remaining days Nagaland’s iconic Hornbill Festival has been called off to express solidarity with the Konyaks and to hold a spirit of oneness.

The decision has been taken by the state government after a cabinet meeting held today at 10 am.

Earlier on Monday, the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama, the main venue for Nagaland’s iconic Hornbill festival, wore a deserted look as the government cancelled the day’s events.

The Hornbill festival, an annual ten-day extravaganza in which different tribes of the state showcase their traditions, began on December 1.

Expressing anger over the killing of civilians in Mon, six tribes under Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and a few other tribes decided to refrain from participating in the cultural programmes.

Konyak Union, the apex body of the Konyak tribe, to which the slain civilians belonged, also withdrew from the festival.