Naga Tribal Festivals: Sekrenyi, Moatsu & Aoleang

Beyond Hornbill: celebrate Angami Sekrenyi, Ao Moatsu or Konyak Aoleang in the villages.

At a glance

Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1–3 days
Best season: January (Sükrünye), February (Sekrenyi), April (Aoleang), May (Moatsu), November (Tokhu Emong)
Base: Kohima / Mokokchung / Mon (Kohima, Mokokchung, Mon, Wokha, Phek)
Permits: Nagaland ILP required; foreigners also need a PAP. Verify before travel.

About this experience

While the Hornbill Festival brings all the tribes together, each Naga tribe also celebrates its own festivals in its villages, tied to the agricultural cycle. These are more intimate and authentic, and visitors who time their trips carefully are warmly welcomed.

The Angami celebrate Sekrenyi in February, a purification festival with rituals at the village well, feasting, songs and the thekra hie (community singing) — Khonoma, Kigwema and Jakhama are good places to experience it. The Ao celebrate Moatsu in the first week of May after sowing, with dances, songs and community feasts around Mokokchung. The Konyak celebrate Aoleang in the first week of April in Mon district, the Lotha celebrate Tokhu Emong in November, and the Chakhesang celebrate Sükrünye in January.

Dates can vary slightly from village to village and year to year, so we confirm details with local hosts. Village festivals combine ritual and celebration — your guide will explain what is open to visitors and how to participate respectfully.