Sangtam tribal dance of Nagaland

Come December, visit the northeastern state of Nagaland in India and be part of its rich cultural carnival - the Hornbill Festival held annually in the first week of December. The Hornbill Festival is a celebration of the unique culture tradition of Naga tribes.

The video features the tribal dance performed by the Sangtam tribe of Nagaland living in the Tuensang and Kiphire districts, during the Hornbill Festival.

The Hornbill Festival is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments of Nagaland to encourage the inter-tribal cultural interaction and there by revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland. The event serves to unite various tribes under one umbrella. Held at Naga Heritage Village in Kisama (permanent venue of the festival), which is situated bout 12 km from Kohima, the capital city.

The festival is also a tribute to the hornbill, a bird most admired by the Naga people and one that is linked closely to their social and cultural life, as is evident in their tribal folklores, dances and songs.