Tribes of Nagaland – Hornbill Festival

As briefly mentioned in the earlier photo story; the Hornbill Festival near Kohima in Nagaland is a great place to have a glimpse of the different tribes of Nagaland in their traditional attire. Names of the various tribes of Nagaland are : Ao, Angami, Chakhesang, Chang, Kachari, Khiamniungan, Lotha, Konyak, Kuki, Phom, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Pochury, Yimchunger, and Zeliang.

Photographs of Locals of Nagaland during Hornbill Festival

Tribes of Nagaland Hornbill Festival
A moving portrait when the subject looks into the camera…
Tribes of Nagaland Hornbill Festival
The headgears witnessed in Hornbill Festival were super colourful and looked very exotic.
Tribes of Nagaland Hornbill Festival
I strolled around the festival grounds and this gentleman stood with stoic mannerisms when I pressed the shutter.
Tribes of Nagaland Hornbill Festival
Faces that tell a story : Those lines speak of valour from a past time.
Tribes of Nagaland Hornbill Festival
Glowing in the sunlight – the accessories worn by the Naga women are so different and unheard of.
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
Haha thinking that the camera is the other way!
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
Sippin’ on Amul Lassi !! A classic battle between modernity and the old ways.

With increasing modernisation in India’s Northeast, it may be possible that the only way for tourists to witness the tribes and have a peek at their culture is to attend their cultural festivals such as Hornbill. And even that looks like a deteriorating possibility to experience true culture as it existed. 

Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
Grinning ear to ear while watching the tug-of-war!!
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
The sun can get disconcertingly hot even in December and this tribe’s gorgeous orange coloured fabrics dazzle in the light.
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
Portrait of a lady from one of the Nagaland tribes – just can’t remember which one.
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
The locals having a gala time watching the proceedings and cheering for their preferred teams!

Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland

Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
This tribe’s costumes feels like they were designed for warriors; especially with that minimalist headgear.
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
A candid moment with Nagas screaming at full throttle during the Hornbill Festival : Maybe these were the Konyaks.

Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland

Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
I wonder how it would be to visit the different tribes in their natural environment and experience Nagaland for real rather than looking for culture at a tourism festival.
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
Wow! That necklace looks incredible !! WWOOW
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
A few of these accessories were available for sale in the nearby shops in the festival grounds but were outrageously overpriced.
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
I remember spotting this man with the cool hat outside the Morung of the Pochury Tribe.
Hornbill Festival Tribes of Nagaland
Dressed to kill : Naga tribals in their traditional costumes at the Hornbill Festival.

Other Photo Stories with a focus on Locals :

Portraits from Manipur

Photo Story : Snapshots from Tawang Festival

Celebrating a Traditional Festival in a village in Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Brokpas of Ladakh – Culture & Portraits

Portraits that speak, from Turtuk

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