Kohima: The three-day International Hornbill Festival Mon Edition 2025 began on Monday the Konyak Heritage Complex in Mon. The event was virtually graced by the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, as the Guest of Honour.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Chief Host of the programme, attended the inaugural ceremony along with Advisor for Art & Culture, Treasuries & Accounts K. Konngam Konyak (Co-host), and Advisor for DUDA and Geology & Mining W. Chingang Konyak (Host of the Day).
Other dignitaries present included Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton, Health & Family Welfare Minister P. Paiwang Konyak, Advisor for Water Resources Tongpang Ozukum, and Advisor to the CM Rusemthong.
Delivering his message virtually, Guest of Honour Gajendra Singh Shekhawat congratulated the organisers and said the Hornbill Festival is “not just an event, but a living expression of the Naga people through their song, dance and music,” adding that it has evolved into a global cultural showcase.
In his welcome address, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio thanked the cultural troupes and noted that the Konyak Heritage Complex was built not only for the Aoleang celebrations but also for year-round cultural activities. He praised the organisers for bringing the International Hornbill Festival to Mon district, known for its rich heritage.
Rio highlighted the craftsmanship of the Konyaks — from traditional gun and gunpowder making to beadwork, tattoos, blacksmithing and pottery. On the demand for a Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), he said that the third and final draft has been submitted to the Government of India after cabinet deliberations and expressed hope for a positive response.
The Chief Minister urged the community to use the complex as a space to preserve and promote the culture and traditions of the Konyaks. He later inaugurated the Traditional Cuisine and Artist & Artisans’ Corner and visited the Ahng Museum along with various departmental and community stalls.
Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton, in a short address, thanked the organisers and acknowledged the Chief Minister’s leadership in promoting cultural initiatives.
Introducing the festival, Host of the Day W. Chingang Konyak said the Mon Edition reflects the government’s commitment to promoting the district’s culture, identity and tourism. He emphasised that the festival unites the people of Mon and urged the Konyaks to protect their heritage.
A cultural extravaganza was organised by the Department of Art & Culture under the theme “Cultural Connect”, featuring performances by troupes from Tangnyu, Wanching, Loung, Chen, Longchang, Ukha, Sheanghah Chingnyu, Langmeang, Nokyan, and neighbouring tribes including the Phom, Ao, Tenyimia, Wancho Fusion Crew (Arunachal Pradesh) and cultural troupes from Assam.
Indigenous games were conducted by the Department of DUDA in collaboration with the Konyak Union under the theme “Heritage Challenge”, featuring events such as rice pounding, rice husking and fire-making.
The programme opened with a traditional blessing by Lohwang, Pongyin Ahng of Longzang Village. The festival was heralded with the blowing of traditional trumpets, muzzle-loading gunfire by Loung Village and the sounding of the gong by Chief Minister Rio.
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The Konyaks, known for their distinctive cultural identity, social structure based on Ahngship and their craftsmanship, continue to preserve traditions that set them apart within Naga society.
The event was compered by Chingmei Konyak. Invocation was pronounced by Rev. H. Moba Konyak, Pastor KBCM. A note of appreciation was delivered by Konyak Union President Yamao Konyak.
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