Hornbill Festival Day 4: Traditional Stone-Pulling Ceremony, 25 Gun Salute Commemorate 25 Glorious Years

A spectacular traditional stone-pulling ceremony and a 25 gun salute marked the beginning of day 4 of the 25th Hornbill Festival today.

A spectacular traditional stone-pulling ceremony and a 25 gun salute marked the beginning of day 4 of the 25th Hornbill Festival today.

Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, graced the event as a special guest. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was the chief host, with Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along as the host. Advisor Kropol Vitsu and MLA Kevipodi Sophie co-hosted the grand celebration.

All 13 villages of the Southern Angami region participated in the stone pulling event, with over 1,000 men, dressed in their traditional attire, pulling an enormous stone from Kigwema to Kisama, the Naga Heritage Village, the main venue to the 10-day festival. The stone-pulling procession covered a distance of over 5 kilometers, marking an awe-inspiring display of unity and cultural pride. To commemorate the silver jubilee, 25 gun salutes were fired during the event.

The traditional blessing for the ceremony was pronounced by Balie Kere, Chairman of Kigwema Village, adding spiritual significance to the occasion. The womenfolk played a crucial supporting role, carrying food and water for the participants. However, in line with traditional customs, women were not allowed to cross the rope used to pull the stone once the ceremony commenced.

Meanwhile, the morning cultural extravaganza at Kisama Village captivated the audience, with performances by cultural troupes from various tribes, including Tikhir, Sumi, Lotha, Rengma, Pochury, Chakhesang, Konyak, Sangtam, and Kachari. These performances highlighted the unique traditions and artistry of the diverse Naga communities.

In view of the stone-pulling ceremony, the Kohima-Moa National Highway-02 stretch from Jakhama Military Station to Kisama Heritage Village (Second Gate) remained closed from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. While NST shuttle buses from Kohima operated as usual, shuttle services from Kigwema to Kisama were temporarily suspended during the event.

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