Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday formally inaugurated the first-ever three-day Mon edition of the International Hornbill Festival, marking a new chapter in Nagaland’s annual cultural celebration. The special edition of the festival, hosted at the Konyak Heritage Complex in Mon town, has been organised for the first time alongside the main Hornbill events in Kisama near the state capital. Shekhawat attended the programme virtually as the guest of honour. In his address, the Union Minister said the Hornbill Festival has gradually turned into a well-known cultural event at both national and international levels, and added that the new Mon leg would help showcase the heritage of the Konyak community and other Naga tribes to a wider audience.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was present at the Mon programme as the chief host. Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton and other senior leaders and officials were also present at the venue. State authorities said that organising a separate event in Mon would give more space to local traditions and encourage more cultural activities in districts outside Kohima. Meanwhile, the eighth day of the 26th Edition of the Hornbill Festival also began with a programme called “Cultural Connect” at the Unity Plaza in the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama. Cultural groups presented traditional dances, songs, and other performances. Visitors gathered at the venue to witness displays from several tribes of Nagaland. Officials said the aim this year is to highlight traditional crafts, food, and cultural practices through multiple events held across locations.
The Mon edition will continue for three days with traditional dance performances, indigenous cuisine stalls, and handloom and handicraft exhibitions. Residents in Mon said they hoped the new initiative would draw more visitors to the eastern part of the state and help small businesses during the festive period. Started in 2000, the Hornbill Festival has grown into one of the most prominent cultural festivals in the North East. This is the first time the event has been formally extended to another district. State officials said similar extensions may be planned in future years so that more communities across Nagaland can participate more closely in the annual celebration.
