Zomi i cih pen

[NANG KHAN KIM]

Zomi

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Zomi

Total population
c. 2,500,000
Regions with significant populations
Northeast India · Bangladesh Myanmar (Burma)
Languages
Zomi language Tribes Tedim · 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 South East Asia. They are a tribe of the larger Chin ethnic group which others call Tedim. 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 Tibeto-Burman speaking member of the Mongoloid race. In the past they were little known by this racial nomenclature. They were known by the non-tribal plain peoples of Myanmar, Bangladesh and India as Chin, Kuki, or Lushai. Subsequently the British employed these terms to christen those 'wild hill tribes' living in the "un-admiial. They are Zomi not because they live in the highlands or hills, but are Zomi and call themselves Zomi because they are the descendants of their great great ancestor, 'Zo'".

The Zo people have common primordial name (i.e. Zo) common history, cultural affinities, belief system, economic life and cherished the dream of restoring their glorious past. They remain independent, self-sufficient and were never subjugated until the advent of the British imperialist. They governed themselves according to their traditional polity and legal system ensuring justice for all. The consequences of British imperialism proved disastrous and painful for the Zomi as they were subjected to subjugation, segmentation, division and confusion. As a result their primordial identity was almost completely forgotten and neglected.

The Zo people and their land was dismembered, bifurcated and appended to three sovereign countries – India, Burma and Bangladesh – by British imperialists to fit their own administrative conveniences without Zo people's knowledge and consent. The state boundaries within the nation-state further scattered Zo people and they became ethnic minorities wherever they are. They are deprived of their socio-economic, political and cultural rights and were subjugated as aliens in their ancestral homeland.

Map of the Zomi-inhabited areas

Contents  [hide]  1 Geographical Location 2 History 2.1 Who are the Zomi 2.1.1 The Generic Name 2.1.2 The Origin Of The Name 2.1.3 Meaning Of The Name 2.1.4 Generic Name / Imposed Names 2.1.4.1 1. Chin 2.1.4.2 2. Kuki 2.1.4.3 3. Lushai or Mizo 2.1.5 Adoption of Zomi Nomenclature 2.2 Zomi Nationalism 2.2.1 Common Race 2.2.2 Common Religion 2.2.3 Zokam is Common Language in Chin State 2.2.4 Common History 2.2.5 Common Political Aspiration 2.2.6 Geographical Contiguity 2.2.7 Common Culture 2.2.7.1 Clan Songs 2.2.7.2 Agamous Marriage 2.2.7.3 Common Folktales 2.2.7.4 Hair Dress / Styles 2.2.7.5 Common System of Naming a Child 3 History of Zo Struggle 3.1 Colonial Rule and Record 4 Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) 5 Notables 6 References 7 See also

[edit] Geographical Location

“

Our present geographical distribution extends from the Naga Hills and the Hukawng Valley in the north to Bassein and the Irrawaddy Delta in the south, from the Irrawaddy and Sittang Valleys in the east to the Arakan coast, Bangladesh, Assam and Manipur in the West. In short, we occupy the mountainous region between India and Bangladesh in the west and the Chindwin-Irrawaddy valleys in the east, and the plains and valleys adjacent to these hilly regions.[1]

”

One Zomi folksong tellingly delineates the area of Zogam as follows:

"Penlehpi leh Kangtui minthang,
A tua tong Zota kual sung chi ua;
Khang Vaimang leh tuan a pupa,
Tongchiamna Kangtui minthang aw"

This land is geographically contiguous, compact and has been the land where the Zomi permanently settled for centuries. Here they lived in complete independence before the advent of the British. They lived without any outside interference and domination, and no part of her territory had been subjugated. Within their territory, they were knitted together by common traditions, customs, cultures; mode of living; language and social life. They governed themselves in accordance with their customary laws. It was a sovereign land where the people enjoyed perfect harmony on their own.