Chin people
Encyclopedia
The Chin known as the Kuki in Assam
, are one of the ethnic groups in Burma. The Chins are found mainly in western part of Burma (the Chin State
) and numbered circa 1.5 million. They also live in nearby India
n states of Nagaland
, Mizoram
and Manipur
and Assam
. Owing to Mizo influence and Baptist
missionaries' intervention, 80%-90% of the population are Christians
. However, a sizable minority of the Chin adhere to their traditional tribal beliefs, as well as to Theravada Buddhism. A small group of individuals from Mizoram
claimed that they are one of the lost tribes of Israel, that of Bnei Menashe
tribe, some have since resettled in that country.
The Chin are one of the large ethnic minority groups in Burma. The Chin people are of Tibeto-Burman groups and they probably came to Burma, especially the Chindwin valley
in the late 9-10 century AD. Most Chin people moved westward and they probably settled in the present Chin State around 1300-1400 AD. The original meaning of "Chin" remains obscure, though scholars have proposed various theories no widely-held consensus has been reached.
, as the word "Chin" is not in their own language; note the resemblance to Mizo of the neighbouring Mizoram state in India). Major tribes of the Chin include Asho, K'cho, Khumi, Zomi, Lai, Laizo, Laimi , Matu, Mara, etc. It would be relevant to mention also that they are related to the Kukis of Nagaland
, Manipur and Assam. For want of a more acceptable common name, they are usually called the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people, bringing together the three most common names for them, whether given by outsiders or themselves. There are also ten of thousands of Chin people in Mizoram State, India, mainly in the area of the Lai Autonomous District Council
, formerly part of Chhimtuipui District
, and a sizable population also live in Churachandpur district of Manipur, consisting of smaller tribes like the Hmar, Paite, Simte, Zou
,Gangte and others. Bawn tribe in Southern Mizoram State and Bangladesh are descendants of the Lai tribe. This Chin/Mizo/Zomi/Kuki people are scattered into three countries: Burma, Bangladesh, and India. The Chin speak several Kukish languages; Ethnologue
lists 49 languages in this group, of which 20 contain the word "Chin" in their name.
.
. Many Chins have also served as evangelists and pastors, spreading Christianity in places like the United States, Australia, Guam and India.
Some of the Chins in lower Chin State and those living in Rakhine State
practice Theravada Buddhism, due to the influence of the Arakanese
. There is a growing Buddhist community in the major towns.
Some Chins claim to be descendants of the lost tribes of Israel and the Bnei Menashe consists of Jewish converts.
, the United States
and Southeast Asia
. Thousands of other Burmese Chin and Indian Chin workers are in the Persian Gulf states
. Also to note American Baptist
, British
Anglican and Swedish
Lutheran church groups helped relocate thousands of Chin followers.
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Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
, are one of the ethnic groups in Burma. The Chins are found mainly in western part of Burma (the Chin State
Chin State
Chin State is a state located in western Burma . The Chin State is bordered by Rakhine State in the south, Bangladesh in south-west, Sagaing Division and Magway Division in the east, Indian state of Manipur in the north and Indian state of Mizoram in the west. The Chin ethnic group make up the...
) and numbered circa 1.5 million. They also live in nearby India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n states of Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
, Mizoram
Mizoram
Mizoram is one of the Seven Sister States in North Eastern India, sharing borders with the states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur and with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987. Its capital is Aizawl. Mizoram is located in the...
and Manipur
Manipur
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of...
and Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
. Owing to Mizo influence and Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
missionaries' intervention, 80%-90% of the population are Christians
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. However, a sizable minority of the Chin adhere to their traditional tribal beliefs, as well as to Theravada Buddhism. A small group of individuals from Mizoram
Mizoram
Mizoram is one of the Seven Sister States in North Eastern India, sharing borders with the states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur and with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987. Its capital is Aizawl. Mizoram is located in the...
claimed that they are one of the lost tribes of Israel, that of Bnei Menashe
Bnei Menashe
The Bnei Menashe are a group of more than 9,000 people from India's North-Eastern border states of Manipur and Mizoram who claim descent from one of the Lost Tribes of Israel. The claim appeared after a Pentecostalist dreamt in 1951 that his people's pre-Christian religion was Judaism and that...
tribe, some have since resettled in that country.
The Chin are one of the large ethnic minority groups in Burma. The Chin people are of Tibeto-Burman groups and they probably came to Burma, especially the Chindwin valley
Salween River
The Salween is a river, about long, that flows from the Tibetan Plateau into the Andaman Sea in Southeast Asia. It drains a narrow and mountainous watershed of that extends into the countries China, Burma and Thailand. Steep canyon walls line the swift, powerful and undammed Salween, one of the...
in the late 9-10 century AD. Most Chin people moved westward and they probably settled in the present Chin State around 1300-1400 AD. The original meaning of "Chin" remains obscure, though scholars have proposed various theories no widely-held consensus has been reached.
Tribes
There are many tribes among the Chin people such as Daai,Zo, Thai, Tedim (who prefer to call themselves ZomiZomi
Zomi is the name of a major tribe found in various parts of South and South East Asia. The term Zomi meaning, 'Zo People' is derived from the generic name 'Zo', the progenitor of the Zomi. They are found in northwestern Myanmar, northeastern India and Bangladesh. Anthropologists classify them as...
, as the word "Chin" is not in their own language; note the resemblance to Mizo of the neighbouring Mizoram state in India). Major tribes of the Chin include Asho, K'cho, Khumi, Zomi, Lai, Laizo, Laimi , Matu, Mara, etc. It would be relevant to mention also that they are related to the Kukis of Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
, Manipur and Assam. For want of a more acceptable common name, they are usually called the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people, bringing together the three most common names for them, whether given by outsiders or themselves. There are also ten of thousands of Chin people in Mizoram State, India, mainly in the area of the Lai Autonomous District Council
Lai Autonomous District Council
Lai Autonomous District Council is one of the three Autonomous District Councils in Mizoram state in North-east India. It is an Autonomous District Council for ethnic Lai people earlier known as Pawi, living in South-eastern Mizoram bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh. The L.A.D.C. has its...
, formerly part of Chhimtuipui District
Chhimtuipui District
Chhimtuipui District was one of the original three districts of Mizoram: Aizawl, Lunglei and Chhimtuipui. Chhimtuipui District had an area of 3,957 km2. and its headquarter was at Saiha. Subdivisional headquarters were at Lawngtlai and Chawngte. Chhimtuipui District was divided into four...
, and a sizable population also live in Churachandpur district of Manipur, consisting of smaller tribes like the Hmar, Paite, Simte, Zou
Zou
Zou or ZOU may refer to*Zou people , indigenous community living along Indo-Burma frontier*Zou people *Zou Department of Benin*Zou, Côte d'Ivoire, town and commune in Côte d'Ivoire*Zou...
,Gangte and others. Bawn tribe in Southern Mizoram State and Bangladesh are descendants of the Lai tribe. This Chin/Mizo/Zomi/Kuki people are scattered into three countries: Burma, Bangladesh, and India. The Chin speak several Kukish languages; Ethnologue
Ethnologue
Ethnologue: Languages of the World is a web and print publication of SIL International , a Christian linguistic service organization, which studies lesser-known languages, to provide the speakers with Bibles in their native language and support their efforts in language development.The Ethnologue...
lists 49 languages in this group, of which 20 contain the word "Chin" in their name.
Attempts to unify
The realisation that these are of one and share common dialectical root and customs even though separated by international and state boundaries brought about movements for Unification of the occupied territories and of the people. One of the first movements being the MNF (Mizo National Movement) which ended with the formation of the Mizoram State in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Religion
Traditionally, the Chin were animists. However, during the period of British colonialism, many converted to ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. Many Chins have also served as evangelists and pastors, spreading Christianity in places like the United States, Australia, Guam and India.
Some of the Chins in lower Chin State and those living in Rakhine State
Rakhine State
Rakhine State is a Burmese state. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between...
practice Theravada Buddhism, due to the influence of the Arakanese
Rakhine people
The Rakhine , is a nationality in Myanmar forming the majority along the coastal region of present day Rakhine State or Arakan State. They possibly constitute 5.53% or more of Myanmar's total population but no accurate census figures exist. Rakhine people also live in the southeastern parts of...
. There is a growing Buddhist community in the major towns.
Some Chins claim to be descendants of the lost tribes of Israel and the Bnei Menashe consists of Jewish converts.
Global Chin community
Because of the current situation in Burma, thousands of Chins are scattered in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. Thousands of other Burmese Chin and Indian Chin workers are in the Persian Gulf states
Persian Gulf States
Persian Gulf States can refer to:* Countries in the Middle East bordering the Persian Gulf and sometimes known as the Gulf States: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates....
. Also to note American Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
, British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Anglican and Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
Lutheran church groups helped relocate thousands of Chin followers.
Famous Chins
- ZoramthangaPu Zoramthanga (boxer)Pu Zoramthanga was a Burmese Indian Chin boxer, who is remembered as the first Indian to win a bronze medal at the 6th Boxing World Cup in Mumbai , 1990...
, the Burmese Indian boxerAmateur boxingAmateur boxing is practised at the collegiate level, at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, and in many other venues sponsored by amateur boxing associations. Amateur boxing bouts are short in duration and fighters wear head protection, so this type of competition prizes point-scoring rather...
who won a bronze medal at the 1990 Bombay Boxing World CupBoxing World CupBoxing World Cup is an international boxing event which features boxers competing in different weight divisions, organized by the International Boxing Association.- History :...
External links
- Zomi Chin News & Online Magazine
- All About Zomi/Chin
- Chin Bible
- Zomi Re-unification Organisation
- Chin National Front
- Chin Human Rights Organization
- Chin news media
- English - Zomi/Chin Online dictionary
- English - Chin Community in Norway
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