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Mizo people

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Mizo
Mizo hnam
Total population
1,400,000+ (2011–2019)[a][1][2]
Regions with significant populations
 India
830,846–1,160,902 (2011)[b][3]
 Myanmar400,000[2]
 United States50,000[4]
 Singapore22,000[5]
 Malaysia8,000[6]
 Israel6,000[7]
Languages
Mizo, Burmese
Religion
Majority:
Christianity[8]
Minority:
Judaism, Buddhism, and Mizo religion
Related ethnic groups

The Mizo people, historically known as the Lushais,[c] are a Southeast Asian ethnic group native to the state of Mizoram in India and neighbouring states (such as Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya) of Northeast India. They speak the Tibeto-Burman language of Mizo, the official language and lingua franca of Mizoram. The state is the second most literate state in India, at more than a rate of 90%.[9]

The Chin people of Myanmar and the Kuki people of India and Bangladesh are the kindred tribes of Mizos[10] and many of the Mizo migrants in Myanmar have accepted the Chin identity. The Chin, Kuki, Mizo, and southern Naga peoples are collectively known as Zo people (Mizo: Zohnahthlak; lit. "descendants of Zo") which all speak the Kukish languages.[11]

Etymology

[edit]

The term Mizo is derived from two Mizo words: Mi and Zo. Mi (cognate to Chinese: 民; pinyin: mín) in Mizo means "person" or "civilian". The term Zo has three meanings. According to one view, Zo means 'highland' or perhaps 'remote' (Willem van Schendel's term Zomia).[12] Another meaning is "cool" or "crisp" (i.e., a sense/feeling of cool and refreshing air/environment of higher altitude). "Zo" is never used to denote all cool/cold temperatures, the term for which is "vawt".

Mizo is a broad ethnic classification of subgroups or clans inhabiting Mizoram (in colonial times the Lushai Hills) in India. Members of many subgroups, especially speakers of the Central Kuki-Chin languages have joined and adopted the Mizo category.[13]

Ancestral Origins

[edit]
See also: Chhinlung

Some Mizos have a belief that their ancestors left a place known as "Chhinlung" to immigrate. Some agree that this location is in southern China,[14] situated near on the banks of Yalong River.[14] The Mizos have songs and tales that have been passed down from one generation to the next by influential people about the splendor of the old Chhinlung civilization.[14] However, it has not been archaeologically confirmed.

Historical settlements

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Leaving China

[edit]

According to K. S. Latourette[citation needed], there were political upheavals in China in 210 B.C. when the dynastic rule was abolished and the whole empire was brought under one administrative system. Rebellions broke out and chaos reigned throughout the Chinese state, and the Mizos left China as part of one of those waves of migration. They arrived in the Shan States for the first time in the fifth century. When Mizos arrived there from Chhinlung, the Shans had already established themselves firmly in their States. The Shans did not accept the Mizos as guests but did not exclude them either. Before relocating to the Kabaw Valley in the 8th century, the Mizos had resided in the Shan States for almost 300 years.[15]

Arrived at Kabaw Valley, present-day Myanmar (Burma)

[edit]

It was in the Kabaw Valley that Mizos had cultural influence with the local Burmese. It is conceivable that the Mizos learned the technique of cultivation from the Burmese at Kabaw as many of their agricultural implements bore the prefix Kawl, a name given by the Mizos to the Burmese.[16][15]

Moved westwards toward the Lushai Hills

[edit]
A carved-out stone in the necropolis of Vangchhia

Khampat in the Kabaw Valley (now in Myanmar) is known to have been the next Mizo settlement. The area claimed by the Mizos as their earliest town was encircled by an earthen rampart and divided into several parts. The residence of the ruler stood at the central block called Nan Yar (Palace Site). The construction of the town indicates the Mizos had already acquired considerable architectural skills. They are said to have planted a banyan tree at Nan Yar before they left Khampat as a sign that the town was made by them.[17][15]

A typical Mizo village during the early 1900s

In the early 14th century, they moved westward to Indo-Burmese border into the Lushai Hills. They built villages and called them by their clan names such as Seipui, Saihmun, Bochung, Biate, Vangchhia, etc. The hills and difficult terrains of Chin Hills forced division into several villages and ethnic diaspora arose.[18][15]

Notable Settlements

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The migration of Mizo tribes and clans did lead to some noticeable large settlements.

Selesih

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Selesih was arguably the largest and most famous settlements of the Mizo tribes. It stood between the years of 1740 to 1750 AD. In terms of modern-day Mizoram, it was situated between Khawbung South and Zawlsei.

Selesih was formed with the cooperation of seven chiefs who wished to counteract the raids of the tribes across the river Tiau. The settlement had historically boasted 7,000 houses, but it is estimated that this is exaggerated to further curtail enemies and raiders on the settlement. However, it is agreed upon that Selesih was the largest settlement in terms of population at the time.[19]

Old Tualte

[edit]

The exact date of the establishment of Tualte is difficult to trace however its earliest acknowledgement and confirmation is in 1861. It consisted of 1,000 houses at the time with a large population.Tualte housed the most famous people among the Mizo - the Pasalṭha Vanapa(Thangzachhinga), Chawngduma, Zampuimanga, Keikawla and Tawkthiala among many others. Whatever the genuine strengths of these so called cities, it can be crudely inffered that Tualte had more intergrity than Selesih because while places like Selesih was ruled by a group of chiefs, Tualte was under the rule of one man- Vanhnuailiana, whose great grandpa, Lalsavunga, was the one of the wealthiest chiefs in Mizo history. Tualte eventually declined with the onset of the mautam famine.[19][20][unreliable source?]

Dungtlang

[edit]

The Dungtlang Village was founded by the Thangluah Chiefs Vanhnuaithanga and Vanpuia. Dungtlang consisted of two localities where they were later joined by the Chhakchhuak and some allied Pawi from Chawnghawih. The location of Dungtlang is not currently known. However there are some places that are said to be where Dungtlang was located.[20][unreliable source?]

Language

[edit]
Main article: Mizo language

The modern Mizo people speak the Mizo language, a member of the Sino-Tibetan languages and one of the official languages of Mizoram, along with English.[21] Like the Chinese language, Mizo is a tonal language, meaning one syllable's meaning changes depending on the tone.[22]

Other regional dialects include Hmar, Biate, etc. The Mizos did not have their own ancient script. However, there is a legend that says that the Mizo people used to have their own script. But one day, while all the village went to their farm, a hungry dog ate up all the paper that have the scripts and then the people forgot how to read and write.

Currently, in Mizoram, the Roman script is used to write the Mizo language using the Hunterian transliteration. Locally, it is commonly known as the "Mizo A AW B", or "Mizo Hawrawp."[23] The Mizo language can be read by 91.3% of the population of Mizoram, making the state to have the third-highest literacy rates in India.[24]

Culture and society

[edit]
Main article: Mizo culture

The Mizo culture is diverse and rich due to the various tribes and clans. After the 19th century, it has been heavily based on Christianity—the main festival of the Mizos is Christmas, or locally known as Krismas.[25] In addition, the attire for men are influenced by the Western culture; they wear coats.[26] Even though the Mizos still valued their ancient customs and values, much has changed beyond recognition. There has been a recent trend toward going back to the basics.[27]

Art and Craft

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Main article: Mizo craft
Handloom and handicraft exhibition at Aizawl, Mizoram.

A wide range of art and craft products are sold at Mizoram's markets. The main subset of craftwork is textiles, bamboo, cane, and basketry. Many women engage in weaving and basketry, but because Mizoram is known for its expertise in bamboo cane craftwork, the bamboo cane industry blossoms and prospers.[28] Besides producing bamboo baskets, the Indian economic census covered that Mizo artisans create cane stools, gourd crafts, and pottery across its districts and subdivisions.[29]

Cuisine

[edit]
Main article: Mizo cuisine

The majority of the non-vegetarian dishes eaten by the Mizos are served on banana leaves and are representative of rich cuisine. When preparing cuisine, mustard oil is utilized along with spices like garlic, ginger, and chilli. They have less spice in their diet than other places. Their staple food is rice, which they pair with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries. The scent of the food is provided by the usage of bamboo shoots. Bai (a stew made with a variety of veggies), Vawksa Rep (smoked pork), Buhchiar (porridge) and Arsa Buhchiar (chicken porridge) are a few examples of classic Mizo dishes.[28]

Dance

[edit]
Cheraw dance with traditional Mizo attire

Mizo people are excellent in performing arts[citation needed]. Cheraw dance, also referred to as the bamboo dance, is considered to be the oldest dance of the Mizos, dating back until the 1st century while the Mizos were still in Chhinlung, China before their great migration. The dance is now performed in almost all festivals and occasions.[30] Other dances include Chheih Lam, Khual Lam, Chai Lam, Tlang Lam, Par Lam, and Sarlamkai. Note that Lam in Mizo means "dance."

Musical instruments

[edit]
Darkhuang, also known as Zamluang or Jamluang

From time immemorial[citation needed], the Mizos have been using different musical instruments. They can broadly be divided into three: striking instruments, wind instruments, and stringed instruments.

  • Striking instruments include the Khuang (drum), Dár (gong), Darkhuang/Zamluang (large brass drum), Darbu (three-note gong), Darmang (small gong), Bengbung (xylophone-like instrument), Talhkhuang, and Seki (hollow horns).
  • Wind instruments include the Rawchhem (bagpipe-like instrument), Tumphit, Tawtawrawt (bamboo trumpet), Phenglawng (bamboo flute), Buhchangkuang (Reed or paddy stalk flute), and Hnahtum (leaf).
  • Stringed instruments include the Ṭingṭang (pronounced treeng-trang, guitar), Lemlawi (harp), and Tuium Dar (three strings with unique notes each).

Khuang is the only Mizo traditional musical instrument that is popularly used in the present day. In the olden days, Khuang had no role in religious functions; but today, the use of Khuang is a must in every church service.[31]

Traditional clothing

[edit]
Mizo traditional attire showcased in the Mizoram State Museum.

A typical Mizo traditional attire for men comes with a big puan that varies colors, and different style of wearing it. They wear a shorter puan that are above the knees at the bottom. In order to protect themselves from the heat during the summer, they are often seen with clothing around their waists and a type of turban on their heads. In modern days, people prefer t-shirts with traditional patterns.
There are numerous Mizo women's traditional outfits. The most popular one is the Puan, which has three items of clothing—a shirt, a pair of leggings, and a head covering that resembles a dupatta—and is pretty similar to a churidar and a kurta. Even though puan is one of their favorite outfits, they like to wear 'Puanchei' on special occasions and during weddings. It is essentially a two-piece outfit with a top or shirt worn over the long skirt-like lower portion. The stunning blouse is called Kawrchei. It is hand woven from cotton stuff. When dancing, the blouse is frequently paired with puanchei. These have typically vivid colors and chequered patterns.

Tlawmngaihna

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Tlawmngaihna (t͡lɔmŋaɪʔna) is a social code of conduct in Mizo culture that has no direct translation into English. It essentially means to be ethical, gracious, considerate, and helpful to others without thinking of yourself. A saying in the Mizo culture goes:

Sem sem dam dam,
ei bil thi thi"

which can be interpreted to:

Those who hoard will perish
but who shares will live"

This saying was important during the 1958 famine in the Mizo Hills.[32] Another part of the Mizo's tlawmngaihna is the Nghah Loh Dawr shops. In Mizoram, it is quite typical to see sheds or small shops by the side of the road where vegetables and fruits are stored with signs stating the prices of things, but no merchant in sight. It is trusted that onlookers will pick up what they require and deposit the cash in a box. The customers are urged to assist themselves from the same container if they need to make a change. The shops operate under the tenet of trust.[33]

Religion

[edit]

Sakhua

[edit]
Main article: Mizo religion

Pre-colonialist Mizos were animists, i.e. they followed Lushai animism in which the Lushai tribes believed in nature-based spirits and other natural living objects.[34]

Christianity

[edit]
See also: Christianity in Mizoram

Mizo people were influenced by British missionaries in the 19th century, as the British Raj subjugated the chieftainship under its dominance, which they later abolished by Assam-Lushai District (Acquisition of Chief's Rights) Act, 1954.[35] The spread of education by Christian missionaries led to a high literacy rate of 91.58% by 2011. Almost all the Mizos also adopted Christianity, and most continue to be so till the present day.[36]

Bnei Menashe

[edit]
See also: Bnei Menashe

In the 19th century, European Christian missionary activity in the region led to conversion of some Chin, Kuki, and Mizo peoples. In the mid-to-late 20th century, a rather small number of Mizo and related ethnic peoples in Assam and Mizoram began practicing Judaism, after a community leader had a dream in 1951 that they were descendants of the biblical figure Manasseh, a lost tribe of Israel.[37] They number, at most, several thousand in a population of more than 3.7 million in these states. Genetic studies have shown very low affinity with Middle Eastern peoples (including ethnic Jews),[38][39] and rabbinic authorities in Israel have acknowledged Bnei Menashe people as Jews subsequent to their conversion to Judaism under normative Jewish practices. Several hundred have already emigrated to Israel, where they must undergo complete conversion to be accepted as Jews.

Clans

[edit]

There are five major clans or tribes of the Mizo people which are Hmar, Lusei, Ralte, Lai (Pawi), and Mara (Lakher) which are known as the awzia.[14] Some Lais and Maras may not identify as Mizo due to political and linguistical differences.[40]

Hmar

[edit]
Main article: Hmar people
A Fanai chief from 1909.

Hmar in the Lusei dialect of Mizo means "north," indicating that the Hmars lived at the north of the Luseis. They are descendants of Manmasi, who came out of the Chhinlung cave, known as Sinlung in the Hmar dialect.

The Hmars have royal sub-clans. After reaching present-day Khampat in the Kabaw Valley of Myanmar, they established themselves there, according to L.H. Songate, and started the system of a chieftainship. Three chiefs (Hmar: Reng) were chosen by the Hmar King (Hmar: Rengpui) Chawnmanga to lead his realm. Chawnmanga then gave Lersia authority over the kingdom's southern region, Zingthlova over its northern region, and Luopuia over its central region. Then split to thre kingdoms.[41]

King Lersia (c. 920–970 A.D.) was considered one of the greatest Kings of the Mizo people, as he established trade with the Shans and Burmese, with his kingdom spanning 40,000 miles.[42]

Historical cities of Mizoram such as Biate, Champhai and Vangchhia were historically inhabited by the Hmars.[43]

Lusei

[edit]

The Luseis were the first Mizo people whom the British encountered and so all were was initially known as the Lushai people.[44] The Luseis are also a relatively new clan, as they started entering present-day Lushai Hills around 1700 AD.[45] The word Lusei comes from two Lusei Mizo words, Lu meaning "head," and sei meaning "long." They consist of 10 commoners and six royals, and those are:- Pachuau, Chhangte, Chawngthu, Hauhnar, Chuanga, Chaunghang, Hrahsel, Tochhawng, Vanchhawng and Chhakchhuak (the commoners) and the royals are:- Zadeng, Palian, Thangluah, Rivung, Rokhhum and Sailo.[46]

Ralte

[edit]

The word Ralte is made up of two words: ral meaning "enemy" and te being a plural marker. Because of their high-pitched voice, the Ralte people are regarded to be the noisiest members of the Mizo people.[47]

Lai (Pawi)

[edit]
Main article: Lai people

Pawi is a name given by Lusei to those who tie their hair on the top of their foreheads. The Pawi themselves call themselves Pnot awi but Lai.[45] Hakha, or Halkha in the Mizo language, is the capital city of Chin State which is the main settlement of Pawis in Myanmar, where they are known as the Hakha Chin people.

The Hakha Chin people do not identify themself as Mizo and prefer the name Lai or Chin.

In 1953, India adopted a constitution defining itself as a sovereign democratic republic. At that time, the Lai people of the southern part of Mizoram, a segment of the much larger population of Lai/Chin, were granted an Autonomous District Council under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution in support of their identity. Lawngtlai was created as the headquarters of Lai Autonomous District Council.[48]

Mara (Lakher)

[edit]
Main article: Mara people

The Maras are called Lakher by the Luseis. They live in the Lushai Hills' southeast section. Although the Maras are said to have originated in the north, it is known that they all traveled from various locations in central Chin State to their current residences, most likely as a result of pressure from the east. It is possible to fairly precisely follow the path of their migration to the current area. Both the Siaha and the Saiko are Tlongsai people, and they claim to have come from a site named Leisai, which is located between Leitak and Zaphai. Their habitation in the Lusei Hills is said to have been established about 200–300 years ago.[45]

Political, linguistic and economic situation

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After Indian independence, the democratic change in the administrative setup of Mizoram led to an anti-chief movement. The feeling was widespread against the autocratic chiefs and for the Mizo Union. In 1955, at a meeting of representatives of various Mizo villages held in Aizawl, the demand arose for a separate hills state. The local people felt they had been ill-served by the Assam Government during the Mautam famine.

When in 1960 the government introduced Assamese as the official language of the state, there were many protests against the Official Language Act of 1961. That was followed by the March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising,[49] resulting in attacks on the military installations in Aizawl, Lunglei and other towns. The Mizo National Front, formerly known as Mizo National Famine Front, declared independence from India.

The Indian government designated Mizoram as a union territory on 21 January 1972. Pu Laldenga, the president of the Mizo National Front,[50] signed a peace accord in 1986 with the Government of India, stating Mizoram was an integral part of India. Pu Laldenga came to the ministry in the interim government, which was formed in coalition with Congress in 1987. The statehood of Mizoram was proclaimed on 20 February 1987.

Present demand for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule

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With 91.58%[36] literacy, the second highest of the Indian states, Mizoram is a leader in the national emphasis on education. That has made people demand for Mizo to be recognised as an official language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.[51]

See also

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ including the Mizo diaspora's respective statistics
  2. ^ Mizo proper: 830,846; Hmar, Lakher, and Pawi combined with Mizo proper: 1,160,902
  3. ^ a corrupted colonial term encompassing different tribes living in the then Lushai hills; not to be confused with the Lusei tribe

References

[edit]
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  3. ^ "Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues – 2011". www.censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  4. ^ Forrest, Jack. "Celebrating Chin culture".
  5. ^ "SINGAPORE-A MIZO KAL TUM LEH AWM MEK TAN THU PAWIMAWH".
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  11. ^ "MNF steps up campaign for unification of Manipur's Thadou Kuki, Zo-Zomi tribals | Tripuraindia".
  12. ^ van Schendel, Willem (2002). "Geographies of knowing, geographies of ignorance: Jumping scale in Southeast Asia". Environment and Planning D: Society and Space. 20 (6): 653 (note 13). Bibcode:2002EnPlD..20..647V. doi:10.1068/d16s. S2CID 220080961. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
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  47. ^ "An Ethno Botanical Study of Ralte Communities in the North Easte".
  48. ^ Pachuau, Rintluanga (2009). Mizoram: A Study in Comprehensive Geography. Northern Book Center.
  49. ^ Joshi, Hargovindh (2005). Mizoram History Past and Present. Mittal Publications. pp. 11–. ISBN 978-81-7099-997-3.
  50. ^ Chatterjee, Suhas (1994). Making of Mizoram: Role of Laldenga. Vol. 1. New Delhi: M.D. Publications. p. 73. ISBN 978-81-85880-38-9.
  51. ^ "Requests to include 38 languages in Constitution pending: Govt". The Hindu. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
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