The People Called Zomi
Zomi
Zomi | Total population | c. 2,500,000 | Regions with significant populations | Northeast India · Bangladesh
Myanmar (Burma) | Languages | Zomi language
Tribes
Tedim · Lusei · Paite · Zou · Simte · Vaiphei ·Kom · Gangte · Mate · Thadou/Kuki · Haokip · Kipgen · Sitlhou · Lhouvum · Anal · Maring · Muyon · Monsang | Religion | Christianity | Related ethnic groups | Chin · Mizo · Kuki · Naga · Hmar · Tibetans |
Zomi is the name of a major tribe found in various parts of South and Southeast Asia. They are a tribe of the larger ethnic group which the Britishers called them as Chin in Myanmar and Kuki in Manipur and Lushai(now Mizo) in Mizoram, but it is notable that, European writer, Sir J. George Scott claimed in his book Handbook of Practical Information 1911 & Burma and Beyond 1932 that, the Zomi never called themselves by such names as Kuki or Chin or Lushai. He wrote: 'The names like Kuki and Chin are not national, and have been given to them by their neighbors. Like others, the people do not accept the name given by the Burmese and ourselves; they do not call themselves Chins, and they equally flout the name of Kuki which their Assamese neighbors’ use. They call themselves Zhou or Shu and in other parts Yo or Lai.. The term Zomi, meaning 'Zo People ', is derived form the term, Zo, the descendants of their progenitor, 'Zo '". Regarding the truth of Zomi as the racial designation of the so-called Kuki-Chin people, U Thein Re Myint, a well-known Burmese Writer, who knew Chin history, perhaps better than the Chin themselves remarks: 'Even though these tribes of people, who are called Chin, do not necessarily protest their name, their original name is, in fact, Zomi '.
Two British administrators, Bertram S. Carey and H.N. Tuck who place Zo people under modern system of administration record as thus: 'Those of the Kuki tribes which we designate as "Chins" do not recognize that name……they call themselves YO
Zomi | Total population | c. 2,500,000 | Regions with significant populations | Northeast India · Bangladesh
Myanmar (Burma) | Languages | Zomi language
Tribes
Tedim · Lusei · Paite · Zou · Simte · Vaiphei ·Kom · Gangte · Mate · Thadou/Kuki · Haokip · Kipgen · Sitlhou · Lhouvum · Anal · Maring · Muyon · Monsang | Religion | Christianity | Related ethnic groups | Chin · Mizo · Kuki · Naga · Hmar · Tibetans |
Zomi is the name of a major tribe found in various parts of South and Southeast Asia. They are a tribe of the larger ethnic group which the Britishers called them as Chin in Myanmar and Kuki in Manipur and Lushai(now Mizo) in Mizoram, but it is notable that, European writer, Sir J. George Scott claimed in his book Handbook of Practical Information 1911 & Burma and Beyond 1932 that, the Zomi never called themselves by such names as Kuki or Chin or Lushai. He wrote: 'The names like Kuki and Chin are not national, and have been given to them by their neighbors. Like others, the people do not accept the name given by the Burmese and ourselves; they do not call themselves Chins, and they equally flout the name of Kuki which their Assamese neighbors’ use. They call themselves Zhou or Shu and in other parts Yo or Lai.. The term Zomi, meaning 'Zo People ', is derived form the term, Zo, the descendants of their progenitor, 'Zo '". Regarding the truth of Zomi as the racial designation of the so-called Kuki-Chin people, U Thein Re Myint, a well-known Burmese Writer, who knew Chin history, perhaps better than the Chin themselves remarks: 'Even though these tribes of people, who are called Chin, do not necessarily protest their name, their original name is, in fact, Zomi '.
Two British administrators, Bertram S. Carey and H.N. Tuck who place Zo people under modern system of administration record as thus: 'Those of the Kuki tribes which we designate as "Chins" do not recognize that name……they call themselves YO
References: 2. ^ Fan-Cho, 'The Manshu: Book of Southern Barbarians, 862. Translated by Gordon H. Luce. Daraper: No. 44, Southeast Asia Prog, Cornell University, Ithaea, New York, 1961. 3. ^ Fr. V. Sangermano (1833), 'A description of the Burmese Empire, ' p.43 4 5. ^ Vum Kho Hau, Dr, 'Profile of Burma Frontier man ', Bandung, Indonesia, 1963, p.301 6 7. ^ Text of Adoption of the name Zomi Baptist Convention, 1953 8 9. ^ Thawng Khaw Hau, ZO Khang Simna Laibu, 1955, p.4 10 11. ^ Dr. Vum Kho Hau, Profile of Burma Frontier Man, 1963, p.214 12 13. ^ The World Book Encyclopaedia, Vol. 14, 1964, p.5 14 15. ^ Gordon H Luce, Chin Hills-Linguistic Tour (Dec 1954), University Project: Journal of the Burmese Research Society, Vol XIII, Part 1, June 1955, p.26 16 17. ^ Bhattacharya, A.C.: Progressive Tripura, New Delhi, 1992, p.44-58 18 21. ^ Goswhami, B.B.: The Mizo: A Study of Politicisation of Culture, 1979, p.86 22 23. ^ R Vanlawma, Kan Ram leh Kei (My Country and I), Aizawl, 1972, p.88 24 25. ^ Champhai Convention (First World Zomi Convention), by Zo Reunification Organisation, Aizawl, 1988 p.14; also see Memorandum submitted by Leaders of Zo Reunification to President Bill Clinton of USA, Aizawl May 20, 1993, pp. 19-20 26 27. ^ Dr. Kamkhenthang, H., 'Identity Crisis among the Tribes of Manipur ' in B. Pakem (Edited), 'Nationality, Ethnicity and Cultural Identity n North East India ', 1990, p.287 28 29. ^ Lt. Col. J. Shakespear, 'The Lushai Kuki Clans ', 1912 (1988 reprint), Aizawl, p.9 30 31. ^ Col. E.B. Elly, Military 'Report on the Chin-Lushai Country ', 1893 (reprint 1978), p.1 32 35. ^ Sajal Nag, India and North East India, 1998, p.4 36 39. ^ Chaube, S K (1999): Hill Politics in Northeast India (Hyderabad: Orient Longman Ltd) 40 43. ^ Elwin, Verrier (1943): The Aboriginals, Bombay 44 45. ^ Fernandes, Walter (1995): "Indian Tribals and Search for an Indigenous Identity" in A K Singh and M K Jabbi (ed.), Tribals in India: Development, Deprivation and Discontent, Council for Social Development, New Delhi, 62-79 46 47. ^ Go, Khup Za (2008): Zo Chronicles: A Documentary Study of History and Culture of the Kuki-Chin- Lushai Tribe (Delhi: Mittal Publications)