DIMAPUR, Dec 4: The ten-day long colourful Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is in progress. The festival will end on December 10. Naga traditions and culture have been showcased as the tourists continue to throng Kisama, off Kohima. The legendary British band, Smokie's old hits have added sparkle to this year’s Nagaland tourism festival.

Meanwhile the stone pulling enactment of the villagers of Kigwema attracted a large number of tourists. The villagers enacted the traditional stone pulling ceremony of the Angami Nagas at Kigwema village near Kohima.

Following an act of sanctification performed by the village head GB Nesakole Mera, a monolith (stone) measuring 15 feet in length, 4 feet in width and 2 feet thick, tied with thick and long vines was pulled by hundreds of men in two rows to a stretch of about 1km, from Kipfüzha to Kholera Ground, Kigwema. Clad in their indigenous gears, the men displayed their strength pulling the massive stone intoning traditional cries while the womenfolk waited on them along the roadside.

Chief Ministers Lajon Ngan Seng of Kachin State and U Thar Aye of Sagaing region who are currently in Nagaland, graced the event as the chief guests. In their brief remarks, the two visiting dignitaries expressed gratitude to the people of Kigwema for giving them the opportunity to be part of the “historic and unforgettable” event. They also presented a work of art to Kigwema village on the occasion to adorn the walls of the village council hall.