The Gorkha community under the aegis of the Nagaland Gorkha Association (NGA) is showcasing their culture and tradition and cuisines at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama marking the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival.
Two stalls have been set up – one on the ground floor of the main arena (southern end) and other at the amphitheatre. For the first time ever, the Gorkha Hut and Ethnic Kitchen of NGA is being managed by the Gorkha Public Panchayat Kohima (GPPK).
At the main arena, the exhibition-cum-sale of the cultural items, including the popular Nepali Khukuri, clothing and traditional musical instrument are on display.
At the amphitheatre, the Gorkhas are serving ethnic Nepali cuisine at minimal price. Meanwhile, NGA President Nobin Pradhan said “This year’s International Hornbill Festival is notable for the Gorkhas of Nagaland as the state government has allowed the NGA to set up an exhibition stall along with a Gorkha Ethnic Kitchen to showcase the rich tradition, culture as well as the varied Gorkha cuisine to visitors”.
Pradhan added that both the stalls have been drawing huge crowds since day one, acknowledging the government of Nagaland specially the state Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along and the Department of Tourism, Nagaland for making this possible.
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GPPK President Santu Thapa said that beside the traditional wears and weaponry, GPPK has also brought the grinding stone to prepare the famous Nepali sel roti while also giving live demonstration of cooking sel roti by the Gorkha Mahila Samiti.
A souvenir brought out by the Gorkha people of Kohima on the 75th anniversary of World War-II, depicting the settlement of the Gorkhas in Nagaland, their bravery during the war and also aftermath contributions in rebuilding Kohima town, is also kept for exhibition at the stall, he said.
On behalf of the Gorkhas, the GPPK president expressed appreciation Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu, Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along and MLA of 9th Kohima Town Constituency Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutsho for including the Gorkhas of Nagaland to be a part of the 25th anniversary of the festival at Kisama.
