Maraland
Introductory notes to Mara District of South Mizoram India
By Dr. K. Zohra Ph.D
Lecturer, Gov’t Saiha College
Mizoram, India.
The land and the name:
The Maras occupy the southern portion of Mizoram, the hill tracts situated in the areas of Indo-Myanmar border. The whole region inhabited by the Maras is commonly called “Marara” in the local language meaning the “land of the Maras” or “Maraland”.
In the early British period, it was popularly known to the Britishers as “Lakherland” as the Maras were then designated as “Lakher”.
In 1922, the whole region occupied by them was divided up into different parts among the three districts viz the Lushai hills, the Chin Hills and the Arkan Hill Tracts.From 1924, the Maras villages which had fallen to the Lushai hills had been administered as part of the district under the Chief Commissioner of Assam.
In 1953, the Mara area of the erstwhile Lushai Hills was loosely amalgamated with the Lai area to create an autonomous region under the name “Pawi-Lakher Region” under the Sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Capt.T.H. Lewin used the term “Lakher-Pawi” in his account while he visited the southern Mizoram in the year 1865-66.Under the same context ,in 1972,the Mara area was again separated from the Lai area to form an autonomous district under the name “Lakher District” which was again rechristened into “Mara District” in 1988.
The Capital, the headquarters:
Saiha, locally known as Siaha is the capital town of the Mara Autonomous District, and also the headquarters of the Chhimtuipui District,which is now changed into Saiha District. Tuipang also known to the Maras as “Tipa” is the sub-headquarters of the Mara autonomous District. (Pic Source: Elvyweb.com)
The Mara Autonomous District lies in the loop of the Kolodyne river between the latitude 21′.50′ and 20degree.35′ North and between the longitude 92degree 55′ and 93degree 35′ East.
Situated in the southern part of the Mizoram, it covers an area of about 1445 square kilometres.It is flanked on the north and east by the Lai Autonomous District of Mizoram and on the east and the south by the Chin State of Myanmar.
Geographically, the Mara Autonomous District is isolated from the rest of India both its distance and forbidding nature of hills terrain. Steep hill ranges running in different directions pludge the features. Hills ranges are separated from one another by ridges and furrows. The average height of these range is about 900-1500 metres.There are a number of high peaks. The Mawma with a height of 2050 metres is the highest mountain in the Mara district. There are more prominent mountains like the Tliatlu 1941 metres, the Kahrie 1918 metres and many others hill ranges. In almost every dimension numerous summits, valleys and huge precipices of every description are noticed but there is only one plateau, the Pala-Khaikhy which covers an area of about 180 hectares.
Rivers:
Several rivers run through the land. The more prominent rivers are the Beino,otherwise known as Kolodyne, the Tisi, the Pala, the Lakie, the Sarau ,the Titlao and the Salyu.The first named river is the biggest, and is also known as Kolodyne or Chhimtuipui which means “the big rivers of the south”. This river has its source in the Lai lake of the Chin State of Myanmar and after a course due south it makes abrupt turn in the Indo-Myanmar bordering areas and then after running south it joins the Bay of Bengal. There are also many small rivers ,brooks and streams in every rugged valley.
Lakes:
Besides, there are also Lakes, the more important remarkable lakes are:
1. the Pala Tipo (Pala lake) is the biggest lake situated in the southern part of the Mara Autonomous District Council and the lake has a depth of twelve metres, covering an area of about one square kilometres. (Photo source: Dawgmatix)
2. Beihlo Tipo(Beihlo Lake) is also located close to the Pala Tipo, and is locally known to the Maras as “Tipo Ataw“.
3. Chhohmo Lake is also situated near the Pala Tipo, and this lake is also locally known as “Tipo Apino“.
4. Hmolai Lake is also situated near Khaikhy village of southern part of the district. Some of the rivers drain towards the north-south directions. These rivers are abound with many varieties of fish of which the biggest is the cat fish. Even crocodiles are also found in the Kolodyne river, a fact indicating its size and connection with the Bay of Bengal.
Climatic condition:
Lying below the striking point of the Tropic of Cancer, the Mara District is bestowed with a pleasant climate enjoying cool in summer and temperate winter. There is, therefore, no extreme variation of temperature throughout the year; the temperature averaging 18degree Celcius in winter 31degree C in summer. Due to the variation in altitudes and features, some places are subjected to tropical and sub-tropical climate whereas the rest has temperate and sub-temperate climate. Monsoon period which falls from May to September brings heavy rain with violent storm, average annual rainfall is 240.6cm. During the monsoon season the rain water rushes down the hill sides causing landslides and soil erosion, and some rivers swell up with great concussion, while in winter they dry up quickly. The most remarkable flood occurred in 1989 and in 1995.
Fauna and Flora:
The Mara District is very rich in forest resources. The entire area is covered with thick forest which is a continuation of Mizoram hill system. About 289 square kilometres of the area is under forest of which reserve forest occupies above 82 square kilometres the protected Reserve Forest covers 20.5 square kilometres, and Riverine Reserved Forest 72.5 square kilometres. The hills are covered with tropical jungles with evergreen enchanting. Several kinds of trees including flowering ones and variety of bamboo are in great abundance. The scenery of the jungle throughout the land is very picturesque, the hill and valleys are densely covered with boundless forest. Large areas of the forest have ,however, been destroyed by the Maras over the years without any attention to the plantation. However, in late years, due to the efforts of the Mara Autonomous District Council ,the hills are regaining their old picture with new plantation of many new species of trees.
Wild Animals:
The tropical jungle with its favourable climate makes the land an ideal sanctuary for wild animals. Large varieties of wild animals are found in the forest.These include elephant, mithun, tiger, bear, deer, varieties of monkey and ape. At present there are two Asian elephants. Recently, on 24/8/2001 by 9:30PM one elephant killed a young man Mr.Jacob J.Chahnei, 34 years old of Mipu village of the Mara District. This is the only incidence committed by the elephants. Formerly, rhinoceros were also found in the Pala area, southern part of the Mara Autonomous District, but they are now completely extinct. It has been reported that Mr. H. Hmokha of Zyhno village had killed one hundred rhinoceros. This is rightly recorded ih his memorial stone laid near Siatlai village. Several varieties of bird, jungle fowl, black pheasant, partridge, etc, are also found. In the past wild animals were extremely numerous but their number has been fast decreased due to the devastation of forest and indiscriminate killing of wild animals and birds. According to the office records of the Deputy Commissioner, Saiha, there are 1289 arms as on the registration made up to 2001.
The People:
The Maras were in early period known to the outside world under diffrerent tribal names such as Mara, Lakher, Shendu or Shendoo, Maring, Zyu or Zao/Zho, Tlosai, Khongzai, etc. They constitute a distinct tribal group lying in Saiha district of south Mizoram.They called themselves “Maras“. (Photo: A Mara boy and girls in traditional dresses. Mara people, Maraland, Mizoram, India Picture source: maraland.net)
The word “Mara” is used as a generic term for the whole Mara people. And as such the different tribal sub-groups or clans of the Maras who inhabit the entire perimeter of the present Mara Autonomous District of Mizoram and the hill tracts of the erstwhile south Haka sub-Division of the Chin Hills of Myanmar and whose culture, traditions, dialect, etc. being closely similar are commonly designated as “Mara”.
Territorial sub-group of Maras:
The generic term “Mara” includes several territorial sub-groups namely the Sizo-Chapi, Hawthai, Hlaipao -Zyhno, Iana or Vytu, Lochei and Tlosai. The Hlaipao has a number of sub-groups such as the Heima, Lialai and Zyhno. The Sizo sub-group are the Aru, Chapi, Khihlo, Lialaira, Ratu, Saby, Sosai, Taikua, Tikei, Tisi,etc. The Tlosai sub-group are the Saikao and Siaha.The three territorial sub-groups such as the Hawthai, Lochei and Iana had no sub-groups.
Population:
The Maras are widely distributed but the greater number of them are found in the Mara Autonomous District.According to the 1971 cencus,the total population of the Maras in Mizoram is 24,365.The District Cencus of 1987 puts the figure at 24,365 and the Cencus record of the Mara Autonomous District Council puts it as 37,112. According to 1998 Cencus Report of the Mara Autonomous District is 47,984, female 23,202, male 24,782. At present there are 50 villages, and 59 village councils within the Mara Autonomous District.
Ethnological Classification:
The Maras belong to Mongoloid, the eastern third mankind. They belong to central Chin sub-groups of the Kuki group of the Assam-Burma branch of the Tibeto-Burman family. Some writers have classed them as a number of the Kuki section. In Mizoram, the word “Kuki” is not like by any tribe. Other writers also class the Maras as Chin people. The Chins are a group of hill tribes speaking various directs of the same Tibeto-Burman speech and calling themselves by various tribal names. All are, however, placed in the Kuki Chin group. All tribes do not recognise the name “Chin”, but call themselves “Yo” or “Zo” in the north, “Lai” in the centre and “Sho” in the south, besides many other tribal names. However, the Maras do not call themselves “Chin” or “Kuki“, but designate themselves as “Mara”. The ethnological classification made by various linguists and anthropologists brings out clear picture of about the tribal groups living in the North Eastern India.
(The graph/picture shows an ethnological classification of Mara People, commonly accepted by most linguists and anthropologists).
Distribution:
The Maras are also found in considerable strength in the south Haka sub-division of the Chin state of Myanmar. At present there are 61 villages and the total population is 29,735. The majority of the people are Evangelical Church with its headquarters at Sabypi. The following is the Church report of 2001 taken from the office of the Mara Evangelical church (with the population):
Aru 443, Bakala 119, Bakalatla 18, Chakhai New 200,
Chali 284, Chapy 134, Dawlei (Darling) 664,
Heimapi (Awkho), Heimata 254, Hloma 305, Hnaro 20,
La-ao 241, Leika 126, Lialai 505, Lialaipi 1242, Lialaita (New) 491,
Lialaita (Old) 230, Lialai (station) 149, Locheipi 243, Locheita 199,
Lola 149, Lovaitla 189, Lythatla 74, Mala (new) 106,
Mala (Old) 213, Marahla 79, Matupi 167, Ma-u 280,
Meisakotla 303, Mindat 96, Ngiaphiapi 560, Ngiaphiata 199,
Para 424, Pasai 327, Pathai (T) 133, Pathei (station) 357,
Phape 126, Potia (A) 157, Potia (B) 207, Raka 86,
Ralie 48, Raritla 316, Saby 1139, Sabypi (new) 326,
Sabypi (old) 606, Salapi 166, Salotla 47, Salyu 69
Satu Ngiaphia 561, Sosai (new) 154, Sosai (old) 150,
Taubu (A) 200, Taubu (B) 251, Taula 176, Teina (new) 124
Teina (old) 40, Thiahratla 57, Thlinge 40, Tisi 429,
Tlopi 146, Zaoma 63
Also note that there are a good number of Mara people who are affiliated to Baptist Church of Maraland in Myanmar who are mainly concentrated in Locheita, Locheipi, Ngiaphiata and Ngiaphiapi.
Comments
Comment from Francis .V. Khawngaihdawnga
Time: October 15, 2008, 1:48 pm
Mahni chenna hmun ngei internet atanga a chanchin han en mai theih a a awm hi ka rilru ah pawh ka la suangtuah pha ngai lo a, a tha ka ti khawp mai. Hei ai hian thlalak te pawh hi han dah tam deuh ula a tha dawn khawp in ka hria, chhiar a manhla bawk si.
Long live MARALAND
Comment from Keima
Time: October 16, 2008, 6:57 pm
Hi Francis, since the article above is in English, it will be nice if we can comment in English.
I agree with you, let’s hope Samaw.com upload more photos.
Comment from dav
Time: January 10, 2009, 6:02 pm
What you mean lusei ? Lai ? Mara ? are they all Mizo? then why are we saying Lusei language is Mizo language. I fell that bull shit!!! we are all mizo and there is no particular language. Do u agree with me?
Comment from An Oberserver
Time: January 11, 2009, 7:13 am
Dav, your observation is funny. Lusei language is nown known as Mizo language. From Schools, college to University Mizo can be studied and you can even obtain a degree in Mizo alone. This Mizo language which students are studying all over Mizoram does not include Lai, Mara, Hmar or other Chhinlung chhuak languages. It is exclusively Lusei/Lushai. Mizo people said Lushai/Lusei was a term used by outsiders and just like Pawi/Poi and Lakher, the old names of Lai and Mara, they said Lusei/Lushai was the old name of Mizo.
No matter how much you justify in trying to include many other “Chhinlung Chhuak” tribes into Mizo, the common practice betrays such idea. Mizo is for Lusei people in language and people. But how can they discard their other brothers like Lai, Mara, Hmar, Paite, etc? So, they will say they too are Mizos. In Burma, Lais are the dominant group in Chin state, and few Mizos/Luseis living there are also called by Lais as part of them. Likewise, another “Chhinlung chhuak” Lautu guys who live among Mara people are also called Maras by Maras themselves.
@Dav, you said, “I fell that bull shit!!! we are all mizo and there is no particular language. Do u agree with me?”
So, do you still say Mizo has no particular language? Read the above comment once again.
Mizos are very tolerant people, who have accommodated other “Chhinlung chhuak” tribes as Mizos, but those people speak their own languages and do not call themselves Mizo. Mizo language was formerly Lusei but now the common usage is Mizo. If you don’t want to accept this, your observation is only a wishful thinking…. Lusei/Lushai will always be called Mizo language. Why don’t you just agree on this?
Comment from linda
Time: April 4, 2009, 4:49 pm
Dav,u r 100% correct.Ya observation is NOT funny.U r hittng 6.Thumps up to u.The term MIZO is generic:it includes many other ethnic groups and tribes residing in and outside Mizoram(whether they call themselves Mizo or not,doesNOT undermine the fact).Thes ethnic groups have their distinct cultures and traditional practices.In the struggle for Statehood,instead of submitting a long list of different groups,the movement activists called themselves MIZO(it had to be yaarr….otherwise what would have been the outcome,u and I know).The Statehood was given for all those tribes in the list.Do I need to mention the names?It often is a solution having One particular language as the main lang.where there are a number of other languages(Nagamese in Nagaland,for instance,where we have the Semas,the Aos,the Rongmeis,the Konyaks…etc.all of them are Nagas).In Mizoram,Duhlian or Lushai/shei lang.has been used as the state lang.Language is one of the main imp.identities of man.Mizo Lang.is taught in schools and the University,ok.Technically,no suggestion could be given for a State academic paper after a particular group’s name.The situation would then be like waking up a sleeping tiger for other subgroups.There is NO Mizo language in this planet as the term Mizo itself is generic.Lushai lang. is NOT a Mizo lang. no matter who claims it.Let them pacify themselves who claim they speak Mizo language.
Comment from rajib das
Time: September 12, 2009, 10:34 pm
@dav, An Observer, linda
Well I am an outsider in the affairs of mizoram.
However,I keep 2 things with me very dearly about the people of the power full single hilly leg on which the map of old Assam used stand in our school atlas.
(And that what my grandmother usd to tell me about the hill people.)
(1) The people of that region are in general good christians.
(2) They are also well educated and intelligent. If any IAS, IPS or Central govt services officer happend to be from undivided Assam , very bright chances that he /she will from mizoram(Lushai hills in those days )
I always tell to myself ,we only live once, and that too only for some 85 years at the most. Why not spend our days loving our neighbors.
Comment from Ajit kumar
Time: October 2, 2009, 1:16 pm
I stay Saiha more than one and half year. There i fill honesty,see inocensy and thread of peace. I know there is a shadow on the moon but Mizogirls is shadowless.
Comment from Aku.m.chilua
Time: November 6, 2009, 12:40 pm
A pha ngai ta kaw.
Comment from sum sum
Time: November 13, 2009, 12:50 pm
Yep!!
We are one in chin
Comment from martin
Time: November 13, 2009, 11:09 pm
Dear Sum Sum,
Can u tell me what is Chin?
thanks
martin
Comment from Sum Sum
Time: November 27, 2009, 12:14 pm
Dear Martin,
Read above article again to understand what is chin.
Regards,
Sum Sum
Comment from martin
Time: November 28, 2009, 3:11 pm
Dear Sum Sum,
when sth is TRUE, u don’t need a million words(bullshits) to explain it.
How alien is the word KUKI and CHIN is……………..simply putting
” We don’t even have those terms in our dialects”
just one short sentence…………………..
the above is BIG PILE OF SHI_ as well as the book” in search of CHIN IDENTITY.”
terms such as kuki and chin are used by outside people in a degrading manner and U GUYS ARE SO SICK SICK SICK…..trying to use that….
thanks
martin
Comment from H.Lalhmingthanga
Time: January 26, 2010, 10:20 pm
Dr.Zohra, congrats on your zeal! Keep it up
Comment from Chakapi satlia
Time: January 27, 2010, 3:45 pm
I don’t accept either chin or kuki n even mizo. it seems like a longterm intention of bigger tribes to include their neigbouring tribes
under their roof. however i do accept that the tribes like lusei, hmar, kuki,paite, mara,lai, etc.. n many more r from same stock, having common ancestor.so we r all brothers n sisters.
Let us dig n trace out our origin, n try for the most probable nomenclature wich cud include all of us.
Comment from lily
Time: February 2, 2010, 2:35 pm
Great site
Comment from Mathias Kluivert
Time: March 18, 2010, 9:43 am
Guys, the comment by Ajit Kumar really takes the cake. While the rest of you are involved in a serious discussion about ethnic identity, our friend Ajit is after the girls. Keep it up Ajit. If you remain so focused, you may be able to secure the attention of an adorable Mizo girl. You will have to learn the language, though. And by the way – I agree with you – Mizo grils (including, Mara and all the rest that are being discussed) – are indeed shadowless.
Comment from Mangcha Haokip
Time: May 12, 2010, 2:54 pm
Thanks for good history and relationship geognology
Comment from laihra nohro
Time: June 19, 2010, 4:53 pm
mathias kluivert,ur name sounds so’ odd 2me..it seemed u dont understand wat ajit said!i dont knw ur allegiance,but dnt drag mara girls 2 ur imaginery ideas and rotten stereotype..
Comment from bb.pacho
Time: July 29, 2010, 3:58 pm
He hawta eima reih cheichalona raihriapa nata Khizawh liata mo a lahlua awpa ta, Mara duahmo sai pakawna nata pala pahana nama vawhnei thei lymapa he a rona ei tah hmeisei. Abeipa ta byhna chapie lyma ei se.
Editor:- Awsicharu. Mara Reih noto thati puapa, Siaha Bazar.
Comment from N.manga Neihsial
Time: September 9, 2010, 1:37 pm
I am not from Mizoram.But if we want to grow into nationhood,all of us need to sacrfice something and accept the viable one for nationhood building.To me Mizo and the Mizo languase(Lusei) seems to be the only viable one amongst us.Do you know before Germany was unified by Bismark,there were over 200 princely states(independent).Germany got united and attained nationhood under the leadership of Prussions.Same was the case with Italy.If Tamilians or Bengalis can accept Hindi as official languase, what is the difficulty in accepting Lusei as Mizo?
Comment from Saiha^Cowboy
Time: September 9, 2010, 2:09 pm
Well said, Manga Neihsial. I agree with your logic in the beginning part. Preach the same to your Kuki brothers in Manipur and Chin brothers in Myanmar.
Also it is important for brothers to respect one another. As long as one brother looks down upon the other brothers, coming together is something difficult. There’s no one who does not want to unite with their brothers and become a stronger nation and tribe in the world including our brothers concerned here. So, we need to educate ourselves a lot before we can truly become a united Germany, right?
As for Tamilians or Bengalis accepting Hindi as their official language, it seems like you’ve misunderstood. Go to Tamil Nadu and see if Hindi is an official language. It is better not to use this impractical example. Even if Hindi cannot penetrate in Tamil Nadu, the same will not happen in the case of Mizo, it is widely understood and spoken as a second language by many Kukis, Chins and Mizos. And mind you, Lusei/Mizo is already the official language of Mizoram. So, there’s no difficulty in accepting it like you anticipated! Ciao!
Comment from martin
Time: September 10, 2010, 8:23 am
Dear Observer,
“In Burma, Lais are the dominant group in Chin state ”
lais (hakha) are not the dominant group in Eastzoram. ppl would laugh at this if u tell them. Lai is used by Hakha and Thangtlang alone. This Term Lai has more and more attached with the meaning of extremist or cutthroats.
“Mizos/Luseis living there are also called by Lais as part of them ”
My luseis friends in Burma denote themselves as Lusei or Mizo but not Lai. Again it is very disapointing and fuuny to get this kind of data. Lusies live in Kalay and they still call themlves Mizo and they like all other Zos from East Zoram hates the Hakha/Lai.
“Lusei/Lushai will always be called Mizo language. Why don’t you just agree on this? ”
i have not met many Lusie people who are very agreesive as you are but not saying they aren’t. I wonder if u were a Hakha/Laimi with political mindset who had and has and who will and wants to make tensions between Lusei and Maras and Chins (East Zo) so that Common identity cannot be achieved hurting the all out Political Social advantage of the Zo people and but try to uplift the radicalism cutthroat agenda of Hakha/Laimi people.
thanks
martin
Comment from N.manga Neihsial
Time: September 10, 2010, 1:46 pm
At first instance ,let me clarify that my mother tongue is not Lusei.But I understand and can speak with accent.
Looking down upon another person or community has no place in the christian society or in the process of nation building.If we do that we are fools only reaching no where whether individually or in social context.Unfortunately this is human weakness to be overcome everytime/every place.
As regards my example of Bangalis or Tamilians,the same formula applies.The Hindi speakers do not look down on them rather they give respects.Hence no imposition of Hindi.but do you know that when it comes to the situation of national level or international,the Tamilians/Bengalis etc equally accept that Hindi is national language.Even in government circles,it often the Tamilian fellow who would get the first prizes in Hindi proficiency than the Hindi speakers.Mental acceptability of something for common good is essential.
Comment from Saiha^Cowboy
Time: September 10, 2010, 4:04 pm
Well, Manga, no one has objected Lusei becoming the official language of Zo hnahthlak around the world. There is no problem at all for Zo brothers to accept Mizo as their chosen common language, it is already one, and this is important and necessary for all of us. If English can become a link language for all of us, what about the language more near and dear to us? It is much more easier too.
But, talking about unity, it is still a difficulty. What I want to educate you is that both the non-native Lusei speakers as well as the Lusei speakers need to have more acceptance towards one another.
If you speak Lusei with heavy accent like you wrote above, you may be branded as Mizo 2 or 3, will you accept such label? Also, some will tell you “I thought you are the real Mizo…” (meaning you are not)… comments like this can be very hurting for many non-native Lusei speaking brethren. Also, some non-native Lusei speakers will say, “I am not Mizo… etc” this can also hurt the sentiment of Lusei speaking brothers as well. If you have not been inside Mizoram, I guess you just need to visit and experience. We all need to educate ourselves before we can think of a greater unity among Zo hnahthlak. Methinks, it will take few more years!
Comment from N.manga Neihsial
Time: September 13, 2010, 10:35 am
I absolutely agree with you that Unity and understanding will take a few more years,and in fact not years but decades or even a century.But we have to start somewhere sometime.To me it ‘now’ is the right time.If we don’t do,it will never happen.My point here is that Let all those who are generally clubbed together as’Zo hnahthlak’ mentally accept two things:Lusei(Mizo) as our national language and (ii) Mizo as nomemclature of our people.but it does not mean that from today,you and me start talking to our mother or father in Lusei.What I meam is inner mental acceptance like ‘Piantharna’Once this is done by the fringe groups,we shall be able to take on all those people with superlative attitude from the Lusei speakers.The battle has to be from within and not from outside. respond with your name.
Comment from Manase Hlychho
Time: September 14, 2010, 10:42 pm
We the Maras living in the small community with only few population have been living diversely among ourselves..Ever since the politics has ruined our community,we the Maras having different language rythm like;Tlosai,hawthai,zyhno,vytu….etc.are living as if we are in a different community.
When our Mara students study abroad,our elderly educated persons will or may not know how we treat our own brothers and sisters..Some students could not tolerate their own brothers and sisters whose language is a little different from theirs.While their is a pride and prejudice mind in some.
Anyway,among the above diversities among our own people I am really proud to be a Mara because if we focus in our present generation,there are many educated persons especially our elder persons who are now an important officers and important persons in their temporary locality.
I want to thank with all my heart the founders and the organisers who unite and be sure that we are not an ordinary Mizoram students just living in the southern part of Mizoram but we are an United students from one community and for sure we are the Maras..That is the M.S.O.The motto of the M.S.O.clearly shows that whatever we do and whichever positions we achieved is not only for ourselves but is also for God and our beloved Maraland….Long live M.S.O.
Comment from Subir C. Dhole
Time: December 3, 2010, 10:17 am
Read about mara, its various groups sub-groups. Really, so little we Indians, no about ourselves. Thanks to the Maras.
Comment from Krista
Time: December 4, 2010, 3:06 am
I like the way how Observer commented earlier. Basically we are believe to be from common ancestor but cannot deny our outcome branches. Because after going two or three centuries i believe even the Maras and the Lai will again split themselves into another tribes.
So we have to accept one Umbrella is here above us for Lushai,Lai,Mara,Kuki,etc..
I am Khiangte clan by birth but reside in Lai area. Actually my Granparents were from Mausen area near Pukpui. There in my villge in Lawngtlai District i face the problem of being exclusion in Lai tribe. However,they are nice to me.
Really Mara people are praise worthy for their commitment and their love for originality. Also they are more advance in terms of Educatian and Culture and even in Political platform. Look the Written result of MCS. Here among the southern cities Lawngtlai,Chawngte,Lunglei and Hnahthial could not produce even a single csndidate but Saiho could come out with three acandidates. Though one candidate is from Lunglei Dist but he is from a vilage…What ever everything is fine. Here is Krista…Proud to be the Mizos and love the mara,lai,kuki,thado,paite…..thanks.
Comment from VB Mara Nohro, Meisavaih ‘W’
Time: April 2, 2011, 7:31 pm
We, the Maras have been isolated and left undiscovered for more than a decades after the penetration of the English into the Lushai Hills. References to the writtings of N.E. Perry (The Lakhers), the Maras were well known for their raids and in such a way that they were given different names by their neighbouring tribes. The Maras were slightly different from their surrounding tribes in many spheres. Perry even stated that they were completely different from the Lushais..
Mass communication and the advancement in information technology has a great impact in the Mara community.. Many scholars began to emphasised that the Maras were part of the Mizo community but we never let ourself defeated by this negative notion. We still got a long long way to go to preserve our identity.
“Khazia ei reih ei pahlei aw,
Chokhazoh eina piepa cha.”
Comment from Salai Lahnim
Time: April 6, 2011, 8:53 am
Dear Observer,
I like to focuss on Martin’s comment. He once commented on my writing “LAI CHIN ZO” and “KUKI MIZO ZOMI” posted by my friend, and even here I read your comment as regards Dr. Zohra’s writing. Martin, please refrain from such kind of barbarism. As evident from your prints, you are deadly succumbed to the malady of parochialism, extremism and barbarism. If you want to parcipate in the genuine academic word, please come out from the darkness you are living now.
Go and explore the history of the Lais, and even your history, and there you would see yourself if you reach the sound horizon of wisdom. I dont know who you are, dont even know your ethnic background. I am here, a de-constructionist to challenge the biased historical writings of the Mizos and the Zos about the Lais. Lais are the root and the stem of Chinlung peaples, the root and the stem of the Mizo, the Mara and others. If you go on reading the history of the Lais, you must see this fact. If you attended Internatinal Seminar on Exploring The History, Culture and Identity of The Chins in 2008, you must see the fate of little knowlege, unreasonable arrogance and parochialism. Dont forget the past never change.
Turn upwards. Think of the future of Chinlung people. How shall we survive in the midst of the grown-up nations. We are just kids. In the age of globalisation, how shall we live without losing our identity. Go on and think! Come out from your bondage! Choose:
divided or united. Martin! My dear: Quavadis?
Comment from Paw Hma Khei
Time: April 19, 2011, 5:40 am
When I go through your article, Its nice to read but you have forgot to mention the population of some village in Burma Mara, Specially Pasai (New). Thank you.
Comment from Koko
Time: June 14, 2011, 6:56 pm
Well i’m from manipur and i happen to stumble to this site. One thing i could never understand is why the kuki, chin and mizo tribes are not united?? They have a common origin, similar languages, similar culture. Unlike nagas whose tribes are diverse in origin, languages are completely different, culture varies and some who are not even nagas originally! Btw i’m meitei. Also classified as a kuki-chin language
Comment from beibie
Time: July 18, 2011, 10:04 pm
@dav, linda………………..
i hav to say tat u both are right and wrong…first, we all are mizos. we just came from different tribe. but the thing is there are more than one langage, u dunno mara lang, lai and hmar…so, dunt u fuckin tell me that there is only one languahe…na pahno ma???????
Comment from Mrchhaihlung
Time: July 31, 2011, 1:25 pm
‘..hay guys go ahead keep on talking
Comment from xoris
Time: August 31, 2011, 4:41 pm
im from aizawl mizoram,i speak lusei but im a laimi,i dont speak laihawlh unlike my father & my grandfather..let me just clarify one thing.the lusei people are lusei,not only lusei are MIZO,one could not be that stupid to not know what the term “MIZO” means mi=people,zo=our ancestral name.same as ZOMI.the term mizo was coined as an umbrella term for all the zohnahthlaks.its just that the indian govt gave us only 1/3 of our ancestral land as mizoram,and our brothers living outside of us we’re pissed at the mizoram mizos,well it’s not our fault,blame the indian govt.also the britishers divide&rule policy didn’t help either.maras are a subclan of the lais,and this duhlian language is taken from both falam lai tawng and hmar tawng..i dont know why the hmars are so pissed to be called mizos,they are more lusei then the lai and maras,the lusei and hmar even share the same customs,traditions and dresses while we lai people and the maras are very distinct from them,especially the lai,we dont even have zawlbuk(bachelors dormitory)but we call ourselves mizo anytime wherever we go.dont be so narrowminded when using the term MIZO.all zo hnahthlaks are zo people i.e. ZOMI/MIZO.
Comment from sudhir kulkarni
Time: November 11, 2011, 5:13 pm
whatever may be ur language, region, caste, creed, tribe, state don change ur religion, be Indian, n be proud of that.. thanks. love u all
Comment from swaroop tagore
Time: January 15, 2012, 8:58 am
nation wise its linguistic and racial difference,region wise it turns sectarian or tribal.whatever,i have a lot of respect for you mizos whoever you are and whatever tribe you maybe stay together and hold your statehood with respect.Am Tamilian i dont accept Hindi as my national language because the indian government has failed to realise that ther cud be no one common language in a federal union.Hindi was imposed on tamilians and many were shot dead for not accepting it in 1967. But when we enter the national scenario we learn the language in order to converse with our fellow indian brothers. So be proud of your state accomodate everyone (tribe) in to your fold and that would make you all one before the eyes of God who created you with different talents.God Bless your state and may your state and church flourish!
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