This festival was started by the Government of Nagaland In 2000 to encourage interaction among tribes and to promote the cultural heritage of the State. Identify the festival.  

The correct answer is Hornbill festival.

Key Points

• The Hornbill festival was started by the Government of Nagaland in 2000.
• The objective of the festival is to encourage interaction among the various tribes of Nagaland.
• It also aims to promote and preserve the cultural heritage and traditions of the state.
• It is sometimes referred to as the "festival of festivals" because it represents all the ethnic tribes in Nagaland.
• The Hornbill Festival is celebrated from 1st to 10th December every year and has been highly successful.

Additional Information

• Nazu festival:
  • The Nazu festival is a major celebration among the Pochury tribe of Nagaland.
  • This pre-sowing festival takes place for 10 days before the sowing season begins, typically in February.
  • It is marked by merrymaking, songs, dances, and games.
• Gaan-Ngai festival:
  • Gaan-Ngai is the biggest festival of the Zeliangrong community.
  • The Zeliangrong community is a conglomeration of three tribes: Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei, found in North-Eastern states of India, primarily Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam.
  • This post-harvest festival happens in December/January and stretches for five days.
  • It involves various traditional rituals and colourful cultural performances.
• Nuakhai festival:
  • Nuakhai is an agricultural festival celebrated primarily in the Western part of Odisha to mark the arrival of the new rice harvest.
  • It's a significant social/communal gathering where the goddesses are invoked before the first grain of new crop.
  • The new harvest is celebrated with dances, songs, and a variety of local cuisines.