Nagaland- 4 Injured in Gunpowder Blast at Hornbill Festival

KOHIMA-  Four individuals were injured on Tuesday during a gunpowder mishap at the Sangtam Morung in the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, amid the ongoing 26th Hornbill Festival. The explosion occurred while gunpowder was being manually dried or roasted for a scheduled demonstration of traditional muzzle-loading firearms — one of the festival’s signature cultural attractions.

Reports indicate that the victims, all from the Konyak tribe, were preparing locally made gunpowder used for ceremonial firing when the substance ignited unexpectedly, triggering a blast inside the morung.

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Festival medical teams and authorities responded immediately, providing first aid at the Kisama emergency centre before shifting the injured to Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK). According to medical updates, three sustained minor to moderate burns, while one individual suffered severe burns to the face and hands. The critically injured victim is now stable and out of danger, officials confirmed.

No tourists or visitors were harmed, and the situation was brought under control quickly, preventing wider panic inside the venue.

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The Hornbill Festival, often referred to as the “Festival of Festivals,” showcases the cultural heritage of all 17 Naga tribes, including traditional music, dance, crafts, and indigenous games. While firearm demonstrations remain a crowd favourite, the mishap underscores safety challenges in recreating ancient practices involving live gunpowder.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of ignition. Festival organisers stated that safety protocols will undergo review, especially for fire-based cultural demonstrations.

The festival, which began on December 1, concludes tonight, with no further disruptions reported following the incident.