The Mizos, who are of Mongoloid origin had very little written document on their culture and folklore. It was penned mostly by British officers who were stationed at Mizoram in the last part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The old records, though very valuable for reference do not cover all the aspects of Mizo culture and folklore.
We the Mizos are Progressing in all spheres of life including Science and Technology. In this fast paced modern way life, it seems that the present-day Mizo youths have some what forgotten their culture, tradition and the folktales of yore. Even otherwise Mizo culture and tradition some how does not seen to get properly highlighted as he Mizos in general have adopted Christianity as their religion.
Keeping these view points in mind a systematic and thorough study of Mizo Culture based on authentic facts is required in order to educate the youths of today about the ancient Mizo culture and tradition.
The author of this book attempts at highlighting the social and cultural aspects of Mizo life not only in North East India but also in the adjoining areas like Myanmar and Bangladesh.
This book which is based on well-researched facts is seemingly different from all such similar writing elsewhere. The approach to the book is appropriate and highly commendable.
I am confident that this book will prove an invaluable source of knowledge for those who are interested in Mizo culture, history and folklore. I also hope that this book will go a long way in integrating the Mizo state with the rest of India.
Dr. R.
Lalthangliana
Minister,
School Education Environment
and Forest,
Mizoram
Chairman
North East
School Education Minister's
Committee
From the Back of the Book
The book has been written with a purpose to integrate the Mizos life and culture in such a way that it would invite new interest in Mizoram. The rich visual and verbal content of the Mizos in all their settings, their historical evolution, customs, beliefs, occupation, crafts and their present status.
The author of this book, Shri B. Lalthangliana, a well known historian and Lecturer has described the facts of Mizo life and culture in a simple, lucid and racy style. Through this book the world will definitely know more about the Mizos and Mizoram.
Foreword | ii | |
Preface | iv | |
Introduction | 1 | |
Part I: Culture | ||
1 | Mizo Village | 54 |
2 | Mizo Family Life | 56 |
3 | The Chief and His Subject | 61 |
4 | System of Cultivation | 88 |
5 | Clothing | 110 |
6 | Children's Games | 114 |
7 | Domestic Animals | 120 |
8 | Customs of Entertaining Guest | 124 |
9 | How 'Tlawmngaihna' Was Inculcated in the Young | 128 |
10 | Valuable Possessions | 133 |
11 | Festivals | 138 |
12 | Mizo Dances | 146 |
13 | Mizo Musical instruments | 153 |
14 | Customary Apportionment of an Animal Killed in a Hunt | 164 |
15 | Sa Aih Ceremony | 174 |
16 | Communal Fishing with Herbal Toxins | 185 |
17 | Life of the Young Men and Maidens | 192 |
18 | Mizo Marriage Customs | 204 |
19 | Mizo Divorce System | 216 |
20 | Bone of Contention-Corpse or Sick Person | 228 |
21 | Zawlbuk-Bachelors Dormitory | 238 |
22 | Zu-Intoxicating Drinks | 248 |
23 | Views About Supernatural beings | 257 |
24 | Sacrificial Rites and Customs | 271 |
25 | Observance of head- Hunting of Enemies Rituals and Ceremonies | 285 |
26 | Last Rites | 297 |
Part II: Folktales | ||
Introduction | 311 | |
1 | The stag and the Tortoise | 317 |
2 | The fight between animals and birds | 318 |
3 | Thalungi | 319 |
4 | Man who sharpened swords | 321 |
5 | The miserable boy | 322 |
6 | The tortoise and the monkey | 323 |
7 | Chhawnlaihawihi | 324 |
8 | A father who abandoned his two sons | 326 |
9 | The monkey's flute and the bustard quail | 328 |
10 | The father and the seven sons | 329 |
11 | The egg and the stick | 333 |
12 | Nuchhimi and Hmuichukchuruduni | 333 |
13 | The bear's pond | 335 |
14 | Sichangneii | 336 |
15 | Chawngchilhi | 338 |
16 | The swing and the monkey | 340 |
17 | Samdala | 341 |
18 | Kelchawngi | 343 |
19 | Chhurbura | 344 |
20 | Chhura made a trip that ended in his own home | 346 |
21 | Chhura wanted a blandet in daytime and axe at night | 347 |
22 | Chhura had a fly to sell | 347 |
23 | Chhura escaped by using a simple ruse | 348 |
24 | Chhura swapped the house | 348 |
25 | Chhura got wild potatoes of poor quality | 349 |
26 | Chhura threatened to take away his half part of the mithun | 349 |
27 | Chhura lost the art of whistling | 350 |
28 | Chhura became rich | 350 |
29 | A stone that told lies | 352 |
30 | Two sisters went in search of cucumbers | 352 |
31 | Vanchungnula | 353 |
32 | Mualzavata | 356 |
33 | A horn that was curved like a spiral | 356 |
34 | Aihniara | 358 |
35 | White eyelid monkey had a Stubble for its tail | 358 |
36 | Buizova | 359 |
37 | Rimenhawihi | 360 |
38 | Tlingi and Ngama | 362 |
39 | The chief's daughter and a snake | 364 |
40 | Why the dog did not have horns while the goat had | 364 |
41 | Kawrdumbela | 365 |
42 | The tiger and the frog | 367 |
43 | Rahtea | 367 |
44 | Sibuta and Dari | 369 |
45 | Sawndkhara used charms to get a beautiful wife | 371 |
46 | Pi Hmuaki is remembered for her songs | 372 |
47 | Vaichhuka and the strong man | 372 |
48 | Kungawrhi and the Goblins | 375 |
49 | Runginu and Thialtea | 377 |
50 | Chala and Thangi | 378 |
51 | Duhmanga and Dardini | 379 |
52 | Sazaltepa and Bakvawmtepu | 380 |
53 | Nagaitei saved her native village | 380 |
54 | Ugly Chepahakhata became the spokesman of the Mizo | 381 |
55 | Gifts from the brother-in-law | 383 |
56 | Origin of the Tuaichawng River | 385 |
57 | Tualvungi and Zawlpala | 386 |
58 | Lalruanga the Magician | 389 |
59 | Hlawndawhthanga | 395 |
60 | Liandova | 399 |
Bibliography | 403 |
The Mizos, who are of Mongoloid origin had very little written document on their culture and folklore. It was penned mostly by British officers who were stationed at Mizoram in the last part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The old records, though very valuable for reference do not cover all the aspects of Mizo culture and folklore.
We the Mizos are Progressing in all spheres of life including Science and Technology. In this fast paced modern way life, it seems that the present-day Mizo youths have some what forgotten their culture, tradition and the folktales of yore. Even otherwise Mizo culture and tradition some how does not seen to get properly highlighted as he Mizos in general have adopted Christianity as their religion.
Keeping these view points in mind a systematic and thorough study of Mizo Culture based on authentic facts is required in order to educate the youths of today about the ancient Mizo culture and tradition.
The author of this book attempts at highlighting the social and cultural aspects of Mizo life not only in North East India but also in the adjoining areas like Myanmar and Bangladesh.
This book which is based on well-researched facts is seemingly different from all such similar writing elsewhere. The approach to the book is appropriate and highly commendable.
I am confident that this book will prove an invaluable source of knowledge for those who are interested in Mizo culture, history and folklore. I also hope that this book will go a long way in integrating the Mizo state with the rest of India.
Dr. R.
Lalthangliana
Minister,
School Education Environment
and Forest,
Mizoram
Chairman
North East
School Education Minister's
Committee
From the Back of the Book
The book has been written with a purpose to integrate the Mizos life and culture in such a way that it would invite new interest in Mizoram. The rich visual and verbal content of the Mizos in all their settings, their historical evolution, customs, beliefs, occupation, crafts and their present status.
The author of this book, Shri B. Lalthangliana, a well known historian and Lecturer has described the facts of Mizo life and culture in a simple, lucid and racy style. Through this book the world will definitely know more about the Mizos and Mizoram.
Foreword | ii | |
Preface | iv | |
Introduction | 1 | |
Part I: Culture | ||
1 | Mizo Village | 54 |
2 | Mizo Family Life | 56 |
3 | The Chief and His Subject | 61 |
4 | System of Cultivation | 88 |
5 | Clothing | 110 |
6 | Children's Games | 114 |
7 | Domestic Animals | 120 |
8 | Customs of Entertaining Guest | 124 |
9 | How 'Tlawmngaihna' Was Inculcated in the Young | 128 |
10 | Valuable Possessions | 133 |
11 | Festivals | 138 |
12 | Mizo Dances | 146 |
13 | Mizo Musical instruments | 153 |
14 | Customary Apportionment of an Animal Killed in a Hunt | 164 |
15 | Sa Aih Ceremony | 174 |
16 | Communal Fishing with Herbal Toxins | 185 |
17 | Life of the Young Men and Maidens | 192 |
18 | Mizo Marriage Customs | 204 |
19 | Mizo Divorce System | 216 |
20 | Bone of Contention-Corpse or Sick Person | 228 |
21 | Zawlbuk-Bachelors Dormitory | 238 |
22 | Zu-Intoxicating Drinks | 248 |
23 | Views About Supernatural beings | 257 |
24 | Sacrificial Rites and Customs | 271 |
25 | Observance of head- Hunting of Enemies Rituals and Ceremonies | 285 |
26 | Last Rites | 297 |
Part II: Folktales | ||
Introduction | 311 | |
1 | The stag and the Tortoise | 317 |
2 | The fight between animals and birds | 318 |
3 | Thalungi | 319 |
4 | Man who sharpened swords | 321 |
5 | The miserable boy | 322 |
6 | The tortoise and the monkey | 323 |
7 | Chhawnlaihawihi | 324 |
8 | A father who abandoned his two sons | 326 |
9 | The monkey's flute and the bustard quail | 328 |
10 | The father and the seven sons | 329 |
11 | The egg and the stick | 333 |
12 | Nuchhimi and Hmuichukchuruduni | 333 |
13 | The bear's pond | 335 |
14 | Sichangneii | 336 |
15 | Chawngchilhi | 338 |
16 | The swing and the monkey | 340 |
17 | Samdala | 341 |
18 | Kelchawngi | 343 |
19 | Chhurbura | 344 |
20 | Chhura made a trip that ended in his own home | 346 |
21 | Chhura wanted a blandet in daytime and axe at night | 347 |
22 | Chhura had a fly to sell | 347 |
23 | Chhura escaped by using a simple ruse | 348 |
24 | Chhura swapped the house | 348 |
25 | Chhura got wild potatoes of poor quality | 349 |
26 | Chhura threatened to take away his half part of the mithun | 349 |
27 | Chhura lost the art of whistling | 350 |
28 | Chhura became rich | 350 |
29 | A stone that told lies | 352 |
30 | Two sisters went in search of cucumbers | 352 |
31 | Vanchungnula | 353 |
32 | Mualzavata | 356 |
33 | A horn that was curved like a spiral | 356 |
34 | Aihniara | 358 |
35 | White eyelid monkey had a Stubble for its tail | 358 |
36 | Buizova | 359 |
37 | Rimenhawihi | 360 |
38 | Tlingi and Ngama | 362 |
39 | The chief's daughter and a snake | 364 |
40 | Why the dog did not have horns while the goat had | 364 |
41 | Kawrdumbela | 365 |
42 | The tiger and the frog | 367 |
43 | Rahtea | 367 |
44 | Sibuta and Dari | 369 |
45 | Sawndkhara used charms to get a beautiful wife | 371 |
46 | Pi Hmuaki is remembered for her songs | 372 |
47 | Vaichhuka and the strong man | 372 |
48 | Kungawrhi and the Goblins | 375 |
49 | Runginu and Thialtea | 377 |
50 | Chala and Thangi | 378 |
51 | Duhmanga and Dardini | 379 |
52 | Sazaltepa and Bakvawmtepu | 380 |
53 | Nagaitei saved her native village | 380 |
54 | Ugly Chepahakhata became the spokesman of the Mizo | 381 |
55 | Gifts from the brother-in-law | 383 |
56 | Origin of the Tuaichawng River | 385 |
57 | Tualvungi and Zawlpala | 386 |
58 | Lalruanga the Magician | 389 |
59 | Hlawndawhthanga | 395 |
60 | Liandova | 399 |
Bibliography | 403 |