Tents of German tourists on the outskirts of Jakhama village. Telegraph picture

Jakhama, Dec. 1: Thirteen German tourists, here to attend the Hornbill Festival, are camping in the open terrace fields near here to get a feel of rural Nagaland.

The group of seven men and six women, mostly writers, photographers and historians from Frankfurt and Berlin, are so enchanted by the lush green hills and forests surrounding Jakhama village that they are willing to brave the December chill.

A guide from New Delhi said the Germans were overwhelmed with the culture, tradition and beauty of Nagaland, so much so that they were willing to forego all comforts to rest in the lap of this verdant nature.

They have told the village authorities that they do not need any help except a small hut where they can cook food.

However, the villagers are going all out to extend Naga hospitality. Jakhama student union leaders said the Germans did not want anything from the village but they had assured the tourists of foolproof security. They said they would ensure that no untoward incident occurred during the tourists’ stay. “We want them to take home good memories of the Naga people,” one of them said.

An elderly man from Jakhama, Vizohol, said they would also tell the Germans about how the Japanese, an ally of Germany in World War II, had fought the Allied Forces and captured Kohima.

Residents of Jakhama and neighbouring villages said thousands of Japanese soldiers, supported by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose-led Indian National Army, had camped in and around Jakhama before they captured Kohima from the Allied Forces in 1944-45. While the Japanese soldiers had then braved the hostile environment, tourists from their ally country are now camping in the same area to enjoy the green lush hills and dales.

Vizohol said the Germans also wanted to know about the Naga political problem.

The Germans decided to attend the festival held annually at the Naga heritage village of Kisama, 10km from Kohima, after flipping through the Indian tourism calendar. They located Kohima from Google Earth and landed at Jakhama, 15km from the state capital and 5km from Kisama, on November 29. They will leave on December 3.

Several Japanese tourists are also attending the festival and visiting nearby villages. Dozens of tourists from the UK, Japan and Germany visited the World War II museum at Kisama today.

This year, a record number of tourists and foreign dignitaries are attending the biggest cultural festival of Asia.

Cultural troupes from all the seven northeastern states are participating in the festival.

Inaugurating the seven-day festival today, governor Nikhil Kumar said it brings all the Nagas together and gives them a feel of unity. He urged Naga tribes to set aside sectarian and communal factors and come together for progress and prosperity. He said the state government was committed to this and the unity of the Naga people was a must. He said the Nagas wanted to progress and this was possible only through unity.