Preparations on for the festival at Kohima local ground. Picture by Pradeep Pareek

Kohima, Nov. 29: Nagaland’s famous Hornbill Festival begins on Sunday, but this time sans the usual “spirit”.

Acceding to a demand by the Church, the famed Naga rice beer has been banned as part of this year’s festivities. “The government took a decision after such a demand was placed by the Church,” said Thangi Mannen, state tourism secretary.

The state’s slogan is “Nagaland for Christ” and the Church is respected. This time round though there is resentment, mixed with quiet obedience, especially among the youth. As college student Inoka said, “We Nagas are caught between religion and tradition and often it becomes difficult to follow religion and protect tradition.”

Brewing and consumption of rice beer is viewed by many as part of tradition among Naga tribes. So the ban on bamboo cups and the turbid spirit has disappointed some and annoyed others. However, as Rev. Zhabu Terhuja, president of the Nagaland Christian Forum, argued, “It is a tradition of the past, not the present. Our people should be marching forward.”

The general opinion, however, is that the brew has been done away with because “many misbehave after a couple of drinks. Drinking a cup or two is tradition. But misbehaving is not,” said writer-politician Shurhozelie.

According to a journalist, however, “it is the law-enforcement agencies that need to be kept on their toes. Not prohibit the consumption of rice beer.”

The Church, on the other hand, argues on a different plane. Even while admitting that it has failed to stop alcohol consumption altogether, Rev. Zhabu said, “We do not dislike drinking. But offering a choice to the people is nonsense. When something is easily available, people would want to go for it.”

The festival will also be shorn of the glamour it boasted of in the past two years in the form of Bollywood luminaries like Mahesh Bhatt and Manisha Koirala. There will be neither actors nor actor-turned-politicians to add colour to this year’s festivities. “We had invited Union minister for tourism and culture Vinod Khanna, but he said he could not come,” said Mannen.

The non-attendance of luminaries from New Delhi has created considerable resentment. “They can go to Kerala. But Nagaland is too far away for them,” said a senior government official.

The festival will continue till December 5 with Governor Shyamal Dutta and chief minister S.C. Jamir gracing the occasion as chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

Despite the disappointment, hectic preparations are on at the local ground in Kohima. Thatched huts and morungs (warrior abodes) are coming up fast. Participation has also increased by 40 per cent this year, which has helped the organisers — the state government — to tide over unchanged budget of Rs 20-lakh.