All posts filed under: EVENT

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Come Celebrate the Naga Spirit with Hornbill Festival 2023 in Nagaland

It’s that time again! Brace yourself for an extraordinary cultural immersion as Nagaland invites you to their annual Hornbill Festival, taking place from December 1 to December 10, 2023, at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, near Kohima. This much awaited festival provides a kaleidoscopic view into the rich tapestry of Naga culture, offering a feast for the senses. Here are some highlights that make the Hornbill Festival an unmissable experience: Cultural Kaleidoscope: At the core of the Hornbill Festival lies the breathtaking showcase of traditional Naga huts, referred to as ‘Morungs.’ Here, every tribe unfolds its unique way of life, providing visitors with a rare and immersive experience into the rich tapestry of Naga customs, artistry, and gastronomic delights. The festival, in essence, acts as a living museum, transforming every nook of the Naga Heritage Village into a gateway to the captivating world of the Nagas, seamlessly weaving together their traditional roots and contemporary lifestyle. Grand Opening Ceremony: The festivities kick off with a spirited opening ceremony on December 1st, marking the beginning of …

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Preserving Memories | Snapshots from Hornbill Festival Nagaland 2022

Some of our friends were lucky enough to attend the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland in December 2022. The festival week was a vivid display of the state’s rich culture and heritage, and the chilly weather in Kohima only added to the overall experience. As they walked around the traditional huts, or “morungs,” of each tribe, they had the opportunity to taste local cuisine, interact with the residents, and marvel at the musical, dance, and fashion talent on display. Every night was capped off with a lively and entertaining performance, making the festival an unforgettable celebration of the unique culture of Nagaland. Here are some stunning snapshots we captured at the Hornbill Festival 2022 in Nagaland. See you next Year! “I feel shy”: A Naga girl in traditional attire smiles for the camera A Hornbill Moment: A Naga girl helping a tourist take a picture among the colorful menfolks. Foreigners enjoying Naga food An elderly couple takes a walk at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama  Truck full of Happiness: Local crafts on display for sale. Lenen …

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Hornbill Festival 2022 Starts Today in Nagaland.

It’s that time of the year again we’ve all been waiting for. Nagaland is once again all set to host the famous hornbill festival. A festival that celebrates music, culture, food, and arts & tradition. It only gets better and brighter every year. This year we will get to witness an array of attractions around the state starting from 1st Dec to 10th Dec. Throughout the festival, there will be a medley of folk songs and dances, a musical night with artists from across the country and beyond, the display of traditional arts and crafts being displayed at the morungs. There is surely something for everyone here at this festival. So whether you’re a local or a traveler, fuzzy up with your warmest jacket and enjoy the cozy festival with high spirits! Also, don’t miss out on the night carnivals and enjoy the local brews and delicacies. “For all of our music enthusiasts, the music festival – brought to you by LIVENOW, starts from 2nd December till the 10th. We have an exciting lineup of artists …

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The Return of the Cosplayers from Nagaland | NAJ Cosfest 2022

Welcome to the almost post-pandemic life where our lives took a bit of an upside down. After nearly 2 years, Nagaland Anime Junkies (NAJ) is back with the much anticipated Cosfest 2022. This year’s NAJ Cosfest 2022 was nothing short of a magical celebration that had us delve into a world of fantasy. It’s only fair to say that we were eager for a Cosfest. NAJ founder Biebe and the team have yet again outdone themselves. Everything was a vibe- the food, the weather, the stalls, and the awe-striking cosplayers. It was a sight to behold and maybe just for once, it made us forget our mundane lives. With the theme – ‘LIFE 2.0’, the 8th Annual NAJ Cosfest event was held in Kohima on the 9th and 10th of July. We witnessed an array of participants from across the state that competed in the grand show of cosplay craftsmanship and performance.   “We want to celebrate life, as we all move forward and rebuild our lives in the post-pandemic world.”- NAJ founders We spoke to …

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R&L Community Shares How They Celebrate Christmas

It’s our favourite time of year! With festivities in the air, the weather turning cold, and everyone getting enthusiastic for the New Year, there’s nothing more we love than spending time with loved ones. We spoke to the R&L Community about how they are celebrating Christmas. Livika Assumi. “Last year I took a break from the festive season as it was the first Christmas without my dad. But this Christmas, I decided to let go of all that mourning and yearning. I made sure to make this Christmas a joyous one. First of all, I wanted to share the joy by baking cookies and cakes for my near and dear ones. I also spent quality time with my family by having barbecue night and sipping some wine.” PC Lalawmpui from Mizoram “I’ve spent previous Christmases taking things for granted, not realizing that people change along with the seasons and some people will not be there for the next. This year, I’m seizing every moment I have with my family and friends, taking chances and appreciating …

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Moments & Events Captured At Hornbill Festival 2019!

To add to this festive time of the year, Nagaland hosts its famous Hornbill Festival to celebrate music, art, food, and culture. Started 8 years ago, every year the festival brings with it a different experience for attendees. The vibrance and the energy only increase with every new edition of the festival, and 2019 was no exception!  Today, we bring to you some of our favorite moments and sights from the festival. Brew your tea, sit back and take a look at these beautiful shots that sum up Hornbill ’19. The festival wraps up tomorrow, make sure you drop by!  You can find different varieties of handicrafts to choose from. Morungs (Naga traditional huts) from different tribes of Nagaland. In case you’ve missed the fun, don’t worry. There’s still a day left, so hurry up and get to Kisama before you get a case of FOMO! More from Hornbill Festival across the years HERE.

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Catching up with Uday Benegal of Indus Creed During The Band’s Visit to Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival 2019

“The times you lived through, the people you shared those times with — nothing brings it all to life like an old mixtape. It does a better job of storing up memories than actual brain tissue can do. Every mix tape tells a story. Put them together, and they can add up to the story of a life.”~ Rob Sheffield We all have unique relationships with our music – as creators, and as listeners. For folks in Nagaland, music is a huge part of growing up, with almost every activity that has shaped the individual involving some form of music – from singing in the choir to waking up to country music playing across the hall, to jamming to rock music to bonding with family over a bonfire and a guitar, music runs in the life and blood of the Nagas. That being said, music performances are a huge part of the most prominent festival in Nagaland – the Hornbill Festival, which happens every year from Dec 1 to 10, with a host of music …

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Hello December. Hornbill Festival 2019 is Happening in Nagaland!

  December is here, and Christmas is right around the corner! The air is crisp and cold with the temperature dropping steadily to welcome the season . . . and what better way to start the celebrations than with the pomp and grandeur of the much-awaited Hornbill Festival! This annual festival that happens every year in Nagaland from December 1 to 10, is something that you should not miss if you are looking to experience the Naga culture in all of 1 week! The festival formula is essentially the same with a heady mix of traditional customs and modern pop culture coming together in one big celebration – but what sets it apart every year is the eclectic mix of performers and festival goers that gets even more colorful each year! Hornbill Festival has something for everyone – for the young, the old, the local, the tourist, the artist, the performer, and the audience… So come one and come all, and be a part of the most happening festival in the North East region to …

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Nagaland’s First Food Bike, ‘Fusion Bytez’, is Capturing Our Taste Buds and Our Hearts

There’s something about street food that never fails to impress us! Whether it’s the mix of local taste in worldly dishes or a spicy treat on a budget, there’s nothing quite like a good street food stall! While hunting for our next food-joint in Dimapur, we stumbled upon a quirky little food stall called ‘Fusion Bytez’. We say ‘quirky’ because this stall isn’t like any other — it’s Nagaland’s very first food bike! Run by three brothers, the small place serves some amazing food. If you want to take a break from visiting fancy restaurants and enjoy some zingy street food, head to the stretch of City Tower area. Don’t forget to try out their Chicken Drumsticks and Twisted Potatoes!  We were thrilled to see three brothers busy catering to the customers. Despite the frenzy rush, we managed to have a quick conversation with one of them. He told us that some of the food stall workers and owners have completed their studies while others are still studying and doing this as a part time …

Discover a New World Through Cosplay – a Chat With the Founder of the Nagaland Anime Junkies (NAJ), Biebe Natso

With the Annual Cosfest coming to an end, you might think it’s the end of another beautiful chapter for NAJ. But it’s only the beginning! Many people attend cosfests across seasons, be it summer or winter. It is undoubtedly one of the biggest events in Nagaland. And its backbone is certainly this club Nagaland Anime Junkies! Today we have the founder of the club, Biebe Natso, here to enlighten us with their journey.     Tell us how this club came to be? I wish we had a deep and inspirational story backing the beginning of our group but we don’t. We started out as a facebook page. It helped us connect and find people who shared a love for anime. Back then we didn’t really think that there would be a lot of anime fans out there, especially in Nagaland, but we were wrong. We got to meet many new faces through the group and created some lasting friendships. How many people are part of your group? Right now, we have got seven members on …