The nature, degree, and evolution of contact damage from Hertzian contacts in silicon nitride-boron nitride composites($Si_3N_4-BN$) are investigated as a function of boron nitride content. The strong deviations of indentation stress-strain from elastic response indicate exceptional plasticity in $Si_3N_4-BN$. The absence of ring cracks or cone cracks on the surfaces is observed, indicating a high damage tolerance. Subsurface quasi- plastic deformation by shear stress is considerable and microdamage is widely distributed within the region below the contact. Shear faults associated with local microfailures play a precursor role in plasticity of this material. When boron nitride content increases, $Si_3N_4-BN$ becomes softer and more quasi-plastic.