Mizoram

Mizoram is one of the 29 states of India which is located in the northeastern part. The capital of Mizoram is Aizawal, in the north-central part of the state. Mizoram literally means Land of the Hill people. “Mizo” is the name of native peoples and “Ram” means land. So, Mizoram means land of native peoples. Mizoram became an independent state on 20th February 1987 with 11 districts. Total area is 8,139sq mi which has ranked as the 25th largest state of India. Mizoram has a 630 miles boundary with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Cities To Go

Serchhip

Lunglei

Lawngtlai

Champhai

Aizawl

Places To Go

Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary

Lunglei

Lamsial Puk

Champhai

4.4

Theiriat Tlang

Lunglei

5.0

The Nghasih Stream

Lunglei

5.0

Zoluti Hriatrengna lung

Serchhip

5.0

Neverland Park

Lawngtlai

4.8

Vantawng falls

Serchhip

4.2

Thenzawl Deer Park

Serchhip

4.0

Chhingpuii Thlan

Serchhip

3.0

Chawngchilhi Puk

Serchhip

3.6

Saikuti Hall

Lunglei

4.2

Lunglie Stone Bridge bridge trail

Lunglei

5.0

Location

Mizoram is on the Northeast side of India. It’s bounded by Myanmar (Burma) to the east and south and Bangladesh to the west. To the northwest bounded by states of Tripura, to the north Assam, and to the northeast Manipur.

Language

Official language of Mizoram is Mizo, English, and Hindi. Mizo is a member of the Kukish branch of the Tibeto-Burman language family.

Peoples

Mizoram peoples are renowned for their hospitality in all over the world. Interestingly they have no gender discrimination. They are helpful to others. Total population 1,091,014 according to 2011census. Majority of population being Christian. First migrated Mizos people were known as Kukis, second immigrated Mizos were called New Kukis, and Lushais are the last of the Mizo tribes to migrate in India.

History of Mizoram

It is thought that Mizos came from Shinlung or Chhinlungsan located on the banks of the river Yalung in China. Mizos first settled in the Shan State and moved on to Kabaw Valley to Khampat and then to the Chin Hills in the middle of the 16th century.

Mizo Hills were formally declared as part of the British-India by a proclamation in 1895.

Lushai Hill district included North and South hills in 1898 and Aizawl beame headquarters.

The tribal districts of Assam including Lushai Hills were declared an Excluded Area in 1935.

On 9th April 1946, during British regime, the Mizo Common People’s Union started taking part as the first political party in Lushai Hill.

The tribal leaders in the North East were unhappy with the States Reorganization Commission (SRS). So, they met in Aizawl in 1955 and established a new party, Eastern Indian Union (EIU) and raised demand for a separate state including all the hill districts of Assam.

In 1959, Mizo Hills was devastated by a great famine known in Mizo history as ‘Mautam Famine’.

Mizo cultural society was formed in 1955. In March 1960, the name of the Mizo Cultural Society was changed to ‘Mautam front’ during the famine of 1959-1960 and in September 1960, the society adopted the name of Mizo National Famine Front(MNFF) which reformed as a political organization under the leadership of Laldenga with the goal of achieving Sovereign independence of Greater Mizoram on 22nd October 1961.

MNF was outlawed in 1967 and a Mizo District Council delegation met Indira Gandhi and demanded a full fledged state in May 1971.

Finally the formalization of Mizoram State took place on 20th February 1987.

Tradition of Mizoram

The three major festivals of Mizo peoples are Chapchar Kut(celebrated in March after cleaning jungle), Pawl Kut, and Mim Kut(maize reaping, in August and September). These are connected with agricultural activities.

Straw Harvest festival celebrated in December. These festivals are celebrated with their traditional dance and music.

Chew and Bamboo dance are two famous dance forms of Mizo people. Along with these they perform khuallam and Chheih Lam dances to welcome guests.

Music is an inseparable part of Mizo people which vary from tribe to tribe. They use musical instruments like ‘Tingtan’, ‘Lemlawi’ and ‘Tuiumdar’. Some beating instruments are ‘Talhkhuang’, ‘Khuang’, ‘Dar’, ‘Bengbung’, and Seki’. They also use wind instruments like Hnahtum’, ‘Mautawtawrawl’, ‘Rawchhem’, ‘Tumphit’, ‘Phenglawng’ and ‘Buhchangkuang’.

Dresses are specially designed and customized by Mizo peoples, which are being used as cultural heritage of them. ‘Puan’ is one of their traditional garments which are worn by both men and women. ‘Puanchei’ which is very colorful and used by Mizo ladies. ‘Kawrchei’ is a kind of unique blouse used by ladies. ‘Ngotekherh’ is a traditional cloth used by men.

Mizo peoples are also renowned for their beautiful handicrafts made of bamboo or textiles.

Cultural Foods of Mizoram

According to Customs and Traditions Mizo people serve food on banana leaves. Some delicious traditional food names are given below:

Bai (soupy cuisine. Made of pork, bamboo shoots, and steamed vegetables)

Koat Pitha (fried dish. Made of rice flour and bananas)

Vawksa Rep (smoked dish. Pork mixing with herbs, then smoked and cut into cubes)

Bamboo Shoot Fry (fried bamboos tossed up with herbs)

Panch Phoron Tarka (in vegetarian version it’s made of pumpkins, potatoes and brinjal. In no vegetarian version it’s mostly made of chicken)

Chum Han (vegetarian dish)

Misa Mach Poora (grilled shrimp)

How to reach Mizoram

By Train: Main rail station is in Bairabi, Kolasib district which connects the whole of Mizoram. The nearest rail station of Mizoram is Agartala rail station, 145kms away.

By Bus: all cities are well connected with one another through bus services. You can reach Aizawl via Silchar(180km), Guwahati(510km), Imphal(375km) and Agartala(445km). Tourist buses and private buses are also available there.

By Air: Aizawl has a domestic airport named Lengpui Airport, which is well connected with many cities like Guwahati, Imphal and Kolkata by regular flights. Flights to Dimapur and Agartala also operate Aizawl.