The stone pulling ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Hornbill Festival was held today at Kisama.
This event witnessed over 1,000 participants pulling a the monolith over a distance of five kilometers, beginning at the Napfülezha Kigwema TCP Gate and culminating at Kisama, Naga Heritage Village.
Thirteen villages came together for this remarkable effort, while women accompanied carrying drinks and food in their Khorü (traditional baskets).
Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, the chief host of the program, expressed that the marks the celebration of the blessings received over the past 25 years of honoring our rich cultural traditions. He extended his gratitude to SAPO for organizing the stone pulling event, emphasizing the importance of coming together to celebrate the vibrant festival.
Rio reflected on the historical context, recalling how the British arrived in India and the Naga Hills to exert control. However, he acknowledged that their presence led to a recognition of the uniqueness of the Naga people’s customs and traditions. This awareness culminated in the passing of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act in 1873 by the UK Parliament, which protected the Naga Hills from outsiders.
He further elaborated that after the Nagas joined the Indian Union, Naga leaders requested that the British-era Inner Line Regulations of 1873 be maintained, leading to its inclusion in the Indian Constitution. “This has allowed the Nagas to continue promoting our rich culture and traditions,” said Rio.
As the rich Naga tradition are upheld, he highlighted the essence to remember the significance of traditions. “We are not performing Gennas (taboos) or other rituals, but even in the Bible, it is stated to respect our elders, seek their blessings, and heed their wisdom. That is the essence of what we are honoring today,” remarked the CM.
He further called on the need to protect and promote all these positive aspects for posterity. “While westernization and modernization may be encroaching upon us, the protection offered by both the British and the Government of India has garnered recognition for our culture,” acknowledged Rio. He also mentioned “If we fail to recognize our own identity, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Therefore, I appreciate the Naga Hohos, civic leaders, societies, and educated individuals who come together to celebrate this festival.” A special thanks to SAPO for organizing and bringing the event to success was also mentioned by the CM.
In his speech, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that the Hornbill Festival, which has been celebrated for 25 years, has transformed into an international festival, attracting people from around the world to experience the beautiful hills and valleys, as well as vibrant and diverse culture, music, costumes, cuisines, and dances. Despite the diversities, he said the unity and strength of the Naga people is truly remarkable.
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With the support of the Government of India and the Ministry of Art and Culture, he said Nagas have the opportunity to elevate this festival to a globally recognized event, attracting even larger numbers of visitors from around the world.
“Over the past 75 years, India has made significant advancements; however, the entire eastern and northeastern regions still possess immense potential but have often been overlooked, leading people to feel marginalized,” stated Shekhawat.
He further emphasized that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office, there has been a transformative shift. He reminded that the Prime Minister himself has visited the Northeast over 70 times to witness its development and embrace its diversity. Additionally, he mentioned that the Prime Minister had made arrangements to all Union Ministers to frequently visit the northeastern states to monitor the development of the Northeast, including Nagaland, which should be on par with that of other states in the country.
“As we move towards becoming a developed nation in the next 25 years, the northeastern states, especially Nagaland, hold immense potential to drive this transformation. The rich cultural diversity and heritage of Nagaland can contribute significantly to the country’s growth,” added the Union Minister.
Shekhawat also emphasized on the need to return to one’s roots and learn to live in harmony with nature, especially in light of the rising concerns of global warming.
Minister of Tourism and Higher Education for Nagaland, Temjen Imna Along, who hosted the program and later spoke at the valedictory ceremony mentioned that it was a great moment for the tourists to have the opportunity to witness the stone-pulling ceremony, an initiative led by SAPO.
“The strength and resilience displayed during the pull from Jakhama to Kisama Heritage Village was remarkable. Despite numerous instances where the ropes broke, they were retied and reinforced, ultimately reaching their destination and this embodies the story of the Nagas. There is no thread that can be broken; it cannot be severed. This resilience is exemplified by the Angami, a proud tribe among the Naga. The pure big stone symbolizes our perseverance to live in harmony with our culture and traditions,” stated Along. He expressed gratitude to all the participants, highlighting this as a historic moment. The Minister also exuded optimism that the significant stone will serve as a blessing for those who visit the Kisama today and that visitors will carry with them the blessings of the Naga people, along with the peace and unity demonstrated by the community.
Chairman of the Kigwema Village Council, Balie Kere, offered a traditional blessing, while Executive Secretary of JBCC, Kehovi Tase, opened the program with an invocation. The President of the Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO), Tepul Hopovi, also participated. Advisor for Prison, Printing & Stationery, Er. Kropol Vitsu, along with MLA Kevipodi Sophie, co-hosted the event. A gun salute of 25 shots, led by the Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO), was also part of the proceedings. This event was organized by the Southern Angami People Organization.
