Mara people
Encyclopedia
The Mara people are a recognised scheduled tribe in India, native to northeastern India
, primarily in the Mara Autonomous District Council
of the state of Mizoram
, where they form the majority of the population. Significant numbers of Maras are also found living south-eastern part of Burma, in Chin State
and Rakhine State
which border the district. They were earlier known as the Lakher by outsiders as Lusei called them by that name, and the new name Mara was inserted in List of Scheduled Tribes in Mizoram state in 1978 replacing the old name. The Maras were in early period known to the outside world under different tribal names such as Mara, Lakher, Shendu,baungshelor Shendoo, Maring, Zyu or Zao/Zho, Tlosai, Khongzai,etc. They constitute a distinct tribal group lying in Saiha district of Mizoram. Some writers and historian included them as one of the Mizo tribes/clans. They called themselves "Maras"
These are all the list of Mara sub-clans, NOT ONLY India's Mara.
is a Kukish language of the Tibeto-Burman family. It is spoken by Mara people who live in a contagious area in Mizoram state, India and Chin state, Myanmar. Mara is also closely related to other Mizo
and Chin languages widely spoken in the area.
, the local governing body for the region, it is centred at Siaha
, main town of the Saiha
District of Mizoram
. The Maraland Democratic Front
, the Mizo National Front
and the Indian National Congress
are the most active political parties on the council.
In Burma, Mara people do not have any self-government body. Though their land is purely inhabited by them, they are governed by three townships - Thlantlang township for people in the North, Matupi township for people in central part and Rakhine township for people in the southern part.
, mostly Evangelical
. With the arrival of Rev. & Mrs. Reginald Arthur Lorrain in 1907 who had had earlier founded Lakher Pioneer Mission in London in the year 1905, within a decade Mara people have all accepted Christianity. Although the missionaries were of baptist
origins, the newly-found Church in Maraland
was not affiliated with any outside Church or denominations, and was called Independent Church of Maraland. The current Evangelical Church has two branches, one in Maraland, India and the other in Burma; these branches were separated after the Partition of India
.
Evangelical Church of Maraland
(India), Congregational Church of India (Maraland)), and Mara Evangelical Church (Burma)) are the three dominant Churches, a direct fruit of the pioneer missionaries who are buried at Saikao town in Saiha
district of Mizoram
. Presbyterian, Baptist
and Pentecostal also have a significant presence among the Mara people.
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...
, primarily in the Mara Autonomous District Council
Mara Autonomous District Council
Mara Autonomous District Council is one of the three Autonomous District Councils within Mizoram state of Union India. Primarily, an autonomous administrative government meant for the Mara people living in the state. It is situated in the southern tip of Mizoram state bordering Myanmar...
of the state of 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...
, where they form the majority of the population. Significant numbers of Maras are also found living south-eastern part of Burma, in 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 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...
which border the district. They were earlier known as the Lakher by outsiders as Lusei called them by that name, and the new name Mara was inserted in List of Scheduled Tribes in Mizoram state in 1978 replacing the old name. The Maras were in early period known to the outside world under different tribal names such as Mara, Lakher, Shendu,baungshelor Shendoo, Maring, Zyu or Zao/Zho, Tlosai, Khongzai,etc. They constitute a distinct tribal group lying in Saiha district of Mizoram. Some writers and historian included them as one of the Mizo tribes/clans. They called themselves "Maras"
Sub-Clans
The Mara clan is divided into 17 sub-clans, they are-- Chapi
- Dova
- Ngiaphia
- Hawthai
- Heima
- Iabao
- Khapi
- Leita
- Lialai
- Lochei
- Motu
- Ratu
- Razao
- Saby
- Tha-y
- Tlosai
- Vyty
- Zyhno
These are all the list of Mara sub-clans, NOT ONLY India's Mara.
Language
The Mara languageMara language
The Mara language is a language spoken by Mara people living in South Mizoram, India and the adjacent people living in Chin State in Burma, formerly Burma.The Mara language belongs to the Kukish branch of the Tibeto-Burman family of languages...
is a Kukish language of the Tibeto-Burman family. It is spoken by Mara people who live in a contagious area in Mizoram state, India and Chin state, Myanmar. Mara is also closely related to other Mizo
Mizo language
The Mizo language is natively spoken by Mizo people in Mizoram, a state in the Indian Union; Chin State of Burma and in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The language is also known as Lushai , as Lusei people are the first clan who have an external exposure...
and Chin languages widely spoken in the area.
Government
Mara people in India are have an autonomous body i.e Mara Autonomous District CouncilMara Autonomous District Council
Mara Autonomous District Council is one of the three Autonomous District Councils within Mizoram state of Union India. Primarily, an autonomous administrative government meant for the Mara people living in the state. It is situated in the southern tip of Mizoram state bordering Myanmar...
, the local governing body for the region, it is centred at Siaha
Saiha
Saiha or Siaha is a census town in Saiha district in the Indian north-eastern state of Mizoram. It is the Headquarters of the Mara Autonomous District Council, one of the three autonomous district councils within Mizoram. It is located in the South Central part of the state...
, main town of the Saiha
Saiha
Saiha or Siaha is a census town in Saiha district in the Indian north-eastern state of Mizoram. It is the Headquarters of the Mara Autonomous District Council, one of the three autonomous district councils within Mizoram. It is located in the South Central part of the state...
District of 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...
. The Maraland Democratic Front
Maraland Democratic Front
Maraland Democratic Front is a regional political party in the Indian state of Mizoram. The party is active amongst the Mara people in the southern part of the state...
, the Mizo National Front
Mizo National Front
Mizo National Front is a regional political party in Mizoram, India. MNF emerged out of the Mizo National Famine Front, which was formed by Pu Laldenga to protest against the inaction of the Indian central government towards the famine situation in the Mizo areas of the Assam state in 1959. It...
and the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
are the most active political parties on the council.
In Burma, Mara people do not have any self-government body. Though their land is purely inhabited by them, they are governed by three townships - Thlantlang township for people in the North, Matupi township for people in central part and Rakhine township for people in the southern part.
Religion
All ethnic Mara people are claim to be 100% ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, mostly Evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
. With the arrival of Rev. & Mrs. Reginald Arthur Lorrain in 1907 who had had earlier founded Lakher Pioneer Mission in London in the year 1905, within a decade Mara people have all accepted Christianity. Although the missionaries were of 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...
origins, the newly-found Church in Maraland
Maraland
Maraland is one of the three Autonomous District Councils within Mizoram state of India. The Mara Autonomous District Council government is headed by Chief Executive Member, Puhpa S.Khipo, a veteran Congress politician.-Religion:...
was not affiliated with any outside Church or denominations, and was called Independent Church of Maraland. The current Evangelical Church has two branches, one in Maraland, India and the other in Burma; these branches were separated after the Partition of India
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
.
Evangelical Church of Maraland
Evangelical Church of Maraland
Evangelical Church of Maraland is a Church in southern Mizoram in Northeast India. It was founded by English missionary Rev. & Mrs Reginald Arthur Lorrain in 1907. It is the largest Church among Mara people. It is one of the three Mizoram Churches pioneered by English Missionaries in the 19th century...
(India), Congregational Church of India (Maraland)), and Mara Evangelical Church (Burma)) are the three dominant Churches, a direct fruit of the pioneer missionaries who are buried at Saikao town in Saiha
Saiha
Saiha or Siaha is a census town in Saiha district in the Indian north-eastern state of Mizoram. It is the Headquarters of the Mara Autonomous District Council, one of the three autonomous district councils within Mizoram. It is located in the South Central part of the state...
district of 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...
. Presbyterian, 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...
and Pentecostal also have a significant presence among the Mara people.