Nagaland’s famed hornbill festival

Context: Influential church bodies in Nagaland have criticised the state
government’s decision to permit to the sale of liquor at the 25^th
Hornbill festival, which is being held at Kisama heritage village in Kohima
district. The sale of alcohol, including the so-called Indian made foreign
liquor (IMFL) and the traditional rice beer, at the festival has been a
contested issue. The state government has been mulling a review of the Nagaland
liquor total prohibition (NLTP) Act of 1989.

Key points

·       Overview: The Hornbill
Festival, Nagaland’s iconic cultural and tourism fair that is annually held
from December 1 to 10.

·       About
Hornbill Festival: It was first organized in the year 2000. It aims to
promote inter-tribal interaction and preserve Nagaland's heritage, blending the
traditional with the contemporary in a harmonious display of unity. It is
organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments of the
Government of Nagaland.

·       Theme
of 2024 festival: The Hornbill Festival 2024, themed “Cultural
Connect,” is a grand celebration of Nagaland’s rich heritage and cultural
diversity.

·       Significance: The festival’s
appeal extends beyond culture, weaving together modernity and tradition with
activities like Naga wrestling, traditional archery, food and herbal medicine
stalls, fashion shows, beauty contests, and musical concerts.

·       The
Great Hornbill: It is commonly called the Great Indian hornbill or
great pied hornbill. It is found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The bulk of the population is found in India, where it is restricted to the
Himalayan foothills, hill forests in northeast India and, the wet evergreen
forests of west India.

·       Nagaland
Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP) of 1989: The NLTP Act is a law
enacted by the Government of Nagaland that prohibits the production, sale, and
consumption of alcohol in the state. The Act is one of the most stringent
liquor prohibition laws in India, and its core features are as follows:

Ø  Complete Ban on
Alcohol - The NLTP Act bans the production, sale, and consumption of all forms of
alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits. This includes both
local (like rice beer) and commercial alcohol.

Ø  Exceptions - There are some
exceptions under the law, such as alcohol being allowed for medical or
scientific purposes and in certain regulated settings, like special licenses
for non-local tourists during specific events (e.g., the Hornbill Festival).

Ø  Support from
Religious Groups - The Act has received strong support from Christian
church bodies, which constitute a majority in the state, as they view alcohol
consumption as morally unacceptable and harmful to community life.

·      
Role of Alcohol in the Hornbill Festival: The Hornbill
Festival is often seen as an exception to the state’s liquor prohibition. Thutse
(local rice beer) is traditionally consumed during the festival, and according
to academic Theyiesinuo Keditsu, the Hornbill Festival is the only time in the
year when the state permits the open sale and consumption of alcohol, including
Thutse.