Hornbill Festival

Nagaland's tribes each hold their own festivals through the year, and the state government created the Hornbill Festival in 2000 to bring them together in one place: at Kisama, a heritage village was built with a morung, a traditional bachelors' dormitory house, for each major tribe, in their own architectural style, and for the first week of December each tribe occupies its own and presents dance, song, wrestling, crafts, food and log drums. The festival is named for the bird whose feathers appear across Naga ceremonial dress. It has grown into the state's largest event, with a night market, music contest and motor rally alongside.

What you actually see

• The tribal morungs - a traditional house for each tribe in its own style.
• The dance and song - each group performing in the central arena.
• The log drums - great hollowed drums beaten by teams.
• The night market - Naga food, crafts and music in Kohima through the week.

When to go

The first week of December, always; the festival runs to fixed dates. Kohima accommodation books out months ahead and prices rise sharply for the week.

Honest expectations

This is a curated government festival, not an organic tribal gathering, and some find it staged. Accommodation is scarce and expensive. All visitors, including Indian nationals, need an Inner Line Permit for Nagaland. December nights are cold.

Nearby

Kohima lies north; Khonoma is west.