Nagaland known as the land of ‘Naga’ people is also the land of festivals with one festival followed by another round the year. In order to facilitate tourists to have a glimpse of all the Naga festivals at one time and one place, the Government of Nagaland has evolved a festival called Hornbill Festival, which is celebrated at Kohima, the capital town of Nagaland. The Hornbill Festival celebrated between 1st & 5th of December every year. The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is aimed at reviving, protecting and sustaining richness of the Naga heritage and traditions. This is done through cultural extravaganza worth experiencing.

Moatsu Festival is celebrated by the Ao tribe of Nagaland. Moatsu is celebrated in the first week of May every year. Various rituals are performed during this period. The Aos observe Moatsü Mong after the sowing is done. The Moatsu festival provides the Aos a period of recreation and entertaiment after the stressful work of clearing fields, burning jungles and sowing seeds, cleaning up the Tsubu (Wells) and repairs and construction of houses by elders of the Putu Menden, stretching over a week. The Moatsu festival is marked by peppy songs and dances.

The Nazu Festival, Nagaland is a gala event of the region which is celebrated for 10 days. The Nazu Festival of Nagaland is generally celebrated in the month of February, before the occasion of sowing of seeds for the year. The Nazu Festival at Nagaland is celebrated with great pomp and show. The Pochury tribe during this occasion sing dance and enjoy merry making. The main attraction of the Nazu Festival, Nagaland is the Khupielilie dance, which is performed by the women folk of the Pochury tribe.

The Sekrenyi Festival starts with the “kizie’ ritual and on the first day the men go for a bath to the village well. Two young tribals then clean the well at night and it is guarded to prevent anyone from using it after it is cleaned. The early mornings again, the men take a bath ceremoniously . The Thekra Hie is the best part of the festival when the young men and women of the tribe sit together, singing traditional tribal songs. There are jugs of rice beer as well as plates of meat kept in front of the participants. The men go for hunting on the seventh day of the Sekrenyi Festival. The most significant part of the festival is on the eight day when there is bridge pulling or gate pulling and there are inter village visits.

Tuluni Festival the most is important festival of the Sumi Nagas in Nagaland. Tuluni Festival in Nagaland is celebrated during the second week of July, a season of bounty in Nagaland. Tuluni is marked with feasts as the occasion occurs in the fruitful season of the year. This festival is celebrated with great pomp by the Sumi tribe of Nagaland.Sumis have two different clan-heads, viz. Swu (Sumi) and Tuku (Tuku). By virtue of two separate clans the gennas differs. All the gennas and rituals differ between Sumi and Tuku. Among all other festivals and gennas Sumis in general accepted this all festival of Tuluni as most grand and important one.

Yemshe Festival (5th October)

The festival is celebrated for six days and each day of the festival has its unique importance. Tribal people celebrate the festival of Amongmong at the time of harvesting new crops in the fields. People worship their deity of the house and the three cooking stones in the fireplace to mark the celebration of the Amongmong Festival. Tribe consider that by celebrating and worshipping the deity during the festival, they will be blessed for good health, opulence, rich harvest and prosperity.

Tsokum Festival (October)

He Tsokum festival is celebrated in the month of October every year in Nagaland. The festival is mainly celebrated by the Khiamgans tribe with great fun and gaiety. This is the pre harvesting festival. People harvest their crops after thanking God for good crops during Tsokum Festival. The seven day long festival is celebrated during the first week of October. The festival is marked by thanking God for being blessed with good crops and wellness in the family. People worship Almighty and pray for the happiness and prosperity of the family.

Ngada Festival is an annual celebration of the Rwengma Nagas observed towards the end of November or December. It is believed that during this festival, the spirits of the dead visit their graves and the homes of their relatives. Ngada Festival is one of the popular festivals of Nagaland. The festival is mainly celebrated by Rengma tribe of the state. The eight day long festival is celebrated towards the end of November or in the beginning of December every year with lots of joy and merry making.