INDIA'S SPECTACULAR HORNBILL FESTIVAL

Khonoma is a 700-year-old village inhabited by the Angami tribe whose men are renowned for their bravery and martial acumen. The Angamis etched their names into the history of Indian resistance by bravely defending their territory against advancing British troops from the 1830s to 1880, when a peace was brokered.

The village is known for its forests and for having some of the oldest terraced paddy fields in the region. The lush forests are home to a wide variety of plants, trees, birds and animals including many rare and endangered species.

A close bond with nature is a part of the local way of life. Faced with widespread deforestation, the residents banned hunting and logging in their forests. Today, the cobbled streets of Khonoma stand as a reminder of a time when man and nature flourished in peaceful coexistence.

Another excellent showcase of the multifaceted Naga way of life is Jakhama village. Our walk here begins at a Kharu, or a large ceremonial gate and takes us through traditional kitchens where one can sample Khie - the local rice beer.

Our walk through Jakhama takes you through paddy fields, and the river banks where we can see the Angamis fish and farm in their traditional ways. As we weave through the village, we stop at local pigsties, fisheries and even a snail farm.

We will also get to see walls of houses riddled with bullet marks of the WW II. Jakhama also houses a temporary education centre established by the Japanese in their attack. End the day sipping tea in the middle of a field overlooking the wondrous village.

The Hornbill Festival is an annual feast for the senses, in which the sixteen Naga tribes come together to put out a smorgasbord of their unique sights, sounds, tastes and experiences. The weeklong festivities are held in December each year in the model village of Kisama. The beautiful venue, built on the gentle slope of a hill, is about 12 kilometres from the state capital and a 20 minute drive from our camp location. Thousands of curious travellers from around the world gather here to enjoy a variety of colourful performances, local crafts, indigenous sports and fascinating foods. Each day the festival invites you to sample a smorgasbord of diverse experiences ranging from traditional archery contests and chilli eating completions, to a blues gig and a nightly bazaar.

The most wondrous thing about the Hornbill is the insight it provides into the great Naga tribal traditions. Overlooking the festival venue are sixteen traditional Morungs, or youth dormitories, each built in the individual style and traditions of the tribes. The Morungs provide guests a unique opportunity to sit down with the tribespeople and be transported into their world. Don't be surprised to find yourself in the audience of an old tribal warrior as he regales visitors with tales of a time when headhunting was a regular affair.

The heritage complex of Kisama also houses a food court, a traditional bamboo hall and a World War II museum.