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Mizo people

The Mizo people, historically recorded as the Lushais, are an ethnic group native to the state of Mizoram in India and neighbouring states 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%.[11]

Mizo hnam

70,000[4]

50,000[5]

20,000[6]

15,000[7]

6,000[8]

5,000[9]

The Chin people of Myanmar and the Kuki people of India and Bangladesh are the kindred tribes of Mizos[12] 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.[13]

Etymology[edit]

The term Mizo is derived from two Mizo words: Mi () and Zo. Mi () 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).[14] 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 such temperature 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.[15]

Historical settlements[edit]

Leaving China[edit]

According to K. S. Latourette, 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 happily resided in the Shan States for almost 300 years.

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.[17]

Striking instruments include the Khuang (), Dár (gong), Darkhuang/Zamluang (large brass drum), Darbu (three-note gong), Darmang (small gong), Bengbung (xylophone-like instrument), Talhkhuang, and Seki (hollow horns).

drum

Wind instruments include the Rawchhem (-like instrument), Tumphit, Tawtawrawt (bamboo trumpet), Phenglawng (bamboo flute), Buhchangkuang (Reed or paddy stalk flute), and Hnahtum (leaf).

bagpipe

Stringed instruments include the Ṭingṭang (pronounced treeng-trang, ), Lemlawi (harp), and Tuium Dar (three strings with unique notes each).

guitar

Mizo diaspora

Mizo people in Myanmar

Chhinlung