Mizo people
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| In India,Bangladesh,Myanmar | |
| Languages | |
| Mizo | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chin, Burman &Tibetans |
The Mizos are a scheduled tribe in northeastern India, primarily in the state of Mizoram, where they are a majority. The present state of Mizoram (mi = human/people, zo = hill, ram = land; the land of hill people) was called the Lushai Hills and was a district of Assam, before it became a Union Territory and afterwards a full-fledged state. The Lushai people were the first clan to have an external exposure and hence the people are initially known as the Lushai people. The demand for a distinct political territory for the people of Lushai Hills resulted in the creation of a separate Union Territory and afterwards the State of Mizoram. In this struggle, one of the powerful factors was the movement to call themselves Mizo, rather than by distinct tribal names such as the Lushai, the Ralte, the Hmar,the Khiangte, the Paite, the Mara, and the Pawi. Their languages (of which the largest is Lushai) belong to the Tibeto-Burman family, and are closely related to those of the Chin in the adjacent Chin State of Myanmar, as well as those of the Nagas, Kukis and others.
The Demography
Sandwiched between Myanmar in the east and south and Bangladesh in the east with a total of 630 miles, the place is inhabitated by the Kuki-Chin linguistic group of the Tibeto-Burman sub-family. Historically speaking, Mizos are a part of the great wave of the Mongolian race spilling over into the eastern and southern India, centuries ago. Their sojourn in western Burma, into which they eventually drifted around the 7th century, lasted about ten centuries. They came under the influence of the British missionaries in the 19th century. The spread of education by Christian missionaries led to the high percentage of literacy (95% as per national sample survey).
Religion
Some 87 percent of the population (including almost all ethnic Mizos) is Christian. The major Christian denominations are Presbyterian[1], Baptist Church of Mizoram[2], Salvation Army, Seventh-day Adventist,Evangelical Church of Maraland,Congregational Church of India (Maraland) in the southern district of Saiha Roman Catholic and Pentecostal. The Chakma practice Theravada Buddhism, mixed with elements of Hinduism and Animism. Chakmas are not belongs to the Mizos. They are illigally crossed the borders of India and Bangladesh and stayed in Mizoram.
In recent generations a small group of Mizo have claimed themselves as Jews; see Bnei Menashe.
Historical Perspective
During the later part of the British rule, the people in Lushai Hills as well as in Manipur Hills felt that the British administration was trying to adopt the policy of control through the chiefs of the community. There were several rebellions against the British rule as a result, an anti-chief movement gained ground and in 1946 a political party named Mizo Common People's Union (MCPU) was formed. In the event of India being independent, the Mizo Union declared that the Mizos to be included with Assam. But, in reality, with the independence of the country, the secessionist group in the party favoured joining with Burma. The separation of India from Burma in the year 1937, the partition of India in 1947 and the administrative extension over the Indian part of the area negatively impacted the free mobility of the inhabitants, despite the existing rules that allowed free cross-over across Indo-Burma international border. These territorial demarcations were never accepted by the people.
Sociolinguistic Mosaic
The multi-ethnic and pluralistic state of Mizoram exhibits a co-existence of different communities, such as the Hmar, Pawi, Lakher or Mara, Riang, and Chakma.
Hmar
In Mizoram, there are two groups of Hmars -- those who are completely Mizoised and those who are only partially assimilated by Mizo culture. The Hmars who are completely Mizoised have undergone changes in respect to their cultural ethos and values and are satisfied to consider themselves as Mizos. But the partially assimilated Hmars, while identifying themselves as Mizos, are at the same time aware of their distinct identity, traditions, customs and language. It is among this group of partially assimilated Hmar that the search for a separate identity gained momentum.When the Mizo National Front (MNF) started its independence movement in 1966, the Hmars joined them with the hope of 'Greater Mizoram'. But when the Mizo accord was signed in 1986, the integration of Hmar inhabited areas of Mizoram was not considered except ensuring the social and economic advancement of the minorities in Mizoram. Being disillusioned, the Hmars in Mizoram formed the Hmar People's Convention (HPC) in 1986. The movement of the Hmar gained ground and the armed confrontation continued till HPC representatives mutually agreed to ministerial talks and signed the memorandum in July 1994.
Lai/ Pawih
With the promulgation of the constitution as a Sovereign Democratic Republic in 1950, the Lai -- a semi-nomadic migratory community -- have been given constitutional safeguards by granting them an autonomous Lai Regional Council under the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution.
Mara
Lakher or Mara is the predominant community of the southeastern corner of Mizoram. The demand for a separate Lakher hill district in 1945 led to the formation of an organized political party called Mara Freedom Party. Their struggle for identity, having passed through several politico-historical events, now plays an important part in the political horizon. Their maintenance of language as a symbol of identity has been supported by their education. Due to the spread of Christianity, education also spread and molded their social life. The Lakher literacy rate contributes a lot to the good standing of Mizoram state in terms of literacy.
Reang
The origin of the Reang is said to be Maian Tlang, a hill near Rangamati of Bangladesh. Some opine that they originally belonged to the Shan state of Burma where they migrated from Chittagong and then into Tripura during the 14th century. Their migration from Tripura to Mizoram took place quite recently. The census report shows a remarkable rise in Riang population within a very short period.
Chakma
Residing in the district of Saiha, the Chakma community is said to be comparatively recent immigrants to Mizoram. Controversy regarding the origin of Chakma has resulted in various opinions regarding the Chakmas. Some opine that Chakmas belong to the eastern group of the Indo-Aryan family, and some say that they belong to the Lushai Chin-Thado group of communities belonging to the Tibeto-Burman group of the Mongolian race. The influx of Chakma communities to the Indian states of Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram can be ascribed to the ethnic and religious differences in the land. With the political upheaval of Mizoram in 1966, the Chakma people suffered a great loss of life and property. The issue of Chakma belonging to a distinct ethnic group, speaking a different dialect, having a different culture and religion from others, suggested they were badly in need of political status. This led to the formation of the new district council for Chakma people. Now the Chakmas are a part and parcel of Mizoram and as they constitute a District Tribal Community, their identity is very conspicuous.
Politico-Linguistic Scenario
Consequent to independence, the change in administrative set up of Mizoram led to an anti-chief movement. The agitation brought forward the general mass's feeling against the autocratic chiefs and that of the Mizo union's support. In 1955 the demand regarding the formation of a separate hill state was put forward in a tribal leader's meeting in Aizawl. The introduction of Assamese as the official language of Assam in 1960 led to the protest against the Official Language Act of 1961. This was followed by insurgency that took place in 1966 resulting in the attack of the installations in Aizawl and Lunglei. Mizoram was declared Union Territory on 21st January 1972. The whole atmosphere was still surcharged with the feelings of anti non-Mizo attitude. Mr. Laldenga, the MNF president, signed peace accord in 1986 with the government of India regarding certain issues. Mr. Laldenga came to the ministry in the Interim government which was formed in coalition with Congress in 1987 and the Statehood of Mizoram was proclaimed on 20th February 1987.
Present & demand for Inclusion in 8th Schedule
Mizoram is now leading towards the spread of education in a substantial manner, the recognition of Mizo language in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution is an undercurrent demand that is evident in various aspects of social and political life. The dominance of the English language is evident especially in the fields of education, official matters and other formal domains as in other parts of India. English has already penetrated the life and blood of the Mizo people for a pretty long time along with the the spread of education. Christian missionaries in the 19th century developed the current alphabetic system adopted for the Mizo language. Adoption of the Roman script has further facilitated the learning of the English language. The admiration and demand for the use of English in Mizoram is no different from the same attitude in other parts of India. Mizos have also engaged themselves actively in a long drawn out socio-political struggle for identity and recognition, and extracting political power from the Central Government in New Delhi. Due to the fear of being assimilated with other communities, aversion towards cultural admixture seems to be a reality of the Mizo People.
References
- Chaube, S.K. 1999. Hill Politics in North-east India. Patna: Orient Longman.
- Lalnithanga, P. 1997. Mizoram. New Delhi: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Govt. of India. Patiala House.
- Parry, N.E. 1988. Lushai custom; A monograph on Lushai customs and ceremonies. Aizwal: Tribal Research Institute.
- Shakespear, J. 1988. The Lushai Kuki Clans. Aizwal : Tribal Research Unit.
- Tribal Research Institute. 1994. The Tribes of Mizoram. (A Dissertation) Aizwal: Tribal Research Institute, Directorate of Art and Culture.
- The Socio-Economics Of Linguistic Identity A Case Study In The Lushai Hills . Satarupa Dattamajumdar, Ph.D