Moatsu Festival of Nagaland to be held on May 1

Festivals of Nagaland are eye-openers for travellers, as the Indian state is full of tribal culture and customs. Tribal festivals of Nagaland allow you to explore a different side of India, and of course, the state is most widely known for hosting the incredible Hornbill Festival that is held each year. But there are many other festivals that one can explore if interested in knowing the different cultures and traditions of the state.
The Ao tribe of Nagaland has one such special festival, known as the Moatsu festival. The festival is set to be held on May 1, 2019.

Moatsu Festival - Why and how of it
The festival celebrates the Ao people of the state, and is celebrated after seeds have been sown in the fields. People redecorate their homes and come out in numbers to celebrate. The festival that usually starts on May 1 continues for an entire week. You will find men and women of the tribe gather around large outdoor fires, and performing traditional dances. The custom of setting big fires is known as Sangpangtu, and rice-beer and lots of food are served during the celebrations.

The festival is celebrated in the Ao town of Mokokchung, which is about 150 km away from Kohima. The town is the third largest urban town after Dimapur and Kohima.

Moatsu Festival starts only after the village gates have been locked so that only the Ao people can attend the festival, making it an intimate affair. Besides song and dance, the men and women also take part in tug of war! Singing warrior songs is a common thing during the festival.