Mizoram is one of the states of Northeast India, with Aizawl as its capital city. The name is derived from Mi (people), Zo (lofty place, such as a hill) and Ram (land), and thus Mizoram implies "land of the hill people".In the northeast, it is the southern most landlocked state sharing borders with three of the Seven, now with the addition of Sikkim, Eight sister states, namely Tripura, Assam, Manipur. The state also shares a 722 kilometre border with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Like several other northeastern states of India, Mizoram was previously part of Assam until 1972, when it was carved out as a Union Territory. It became the 23rd state of India, a step above Union Territory, on 20 February 1987,with Fifty-Third Amendment of Indian Constitution,1986.
Mizoram's population was 1,091,014, according to a 2011 census. It is the 2nd least populous state in the country. Mizoram covers an area of approximately 21,087 square kilometres.About 91% of the state is forested. About 95% of the current population is of diverse tribal origins who settled in the state, mostly from Southeast Asia, over waves of migration starting about the 16th century but mainly in the 18th century. This is the highest concentration of tribal people among all states of India, and they are currently protected under Indian constitution as a Scheduled Tribe.Mizoram is one of three states of India with a Christian majority (87%).Its people belong to various denominations, mostly Presbyterian in its north and Baptists in south.
Mizoram is a highly literate agrarian economy, but suffers from slash-and-burn jhum or shifting cultivation, and poor crop yields.In recent years, the jhum farming practices are steadily being replaced with a significant horticulture and bamboo products industry.The state's gross state domestic product for 2012 was estimated at ₹6,991 crore (US$1.1 billion).About 20% of Mizoram's population lives below poverty line, with 35% rural poverty.The state has about 871 kilometres of national highways, with NH-54 and NH-150 connecting it to Assam and Manipur respectively. It is also a growing transit point for trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
| Area | 21,087 sq km |
|---|---|
| Capital | Aizawl |
| Population | 1.116 million |
| Official Languages | Mizo, English |
| Boundary | Mizoram is one of the states of Northeast India, with Aizawl as its capital city. The name is derived from Mi, Zo and Ram, and thus Mizoram implies "land of the hill people". |
Traditional Festivals In Mizoram Often Revolved Around Stages Of Jhum Cultivation Or The Seasons.community Festivals Were Called Kut In The Local Language, And There Were Major And Minor Kuts Such As Chapchar Kut, Thalfavang Kut, Mim Kut And Pawl Kut. Chapchar Kut Was The Festival Of Spring (february/march), Just Before Jhum Started And Land Was Cut-and-burnt For A New Crop. Chapchar Kut Was Most Anticipated By Youth, A Major Festival And Involved Dancing And Feasts. Thalfavang Kut Celebrated Completion Of Weeding Of The Jhum Crop Fields.mim Kut Was The Festival Dedicated To Ancestors After First Maize Crop Was Collected, While Pawl Kut Celebrated The End Of Harvest And The Start Of New Year. These Festivals Slowly Disappeared As Christianity Became Established In Mizoram. Chapchar Kut Was Reintroduced And Revived In 1973 By Mizo People To Celebrate Their Heritage. Before Christianity Arrived In Mizoram, Home-brewed Alcohol And Many Meat Delicacies Were Part Of The Chapchar Celebrations. Now, With Mizoram's State Law As A Dry State, The Youth Busy Themselves With Music And Community Dancing.along With Reviving Traditional Festivals, The Community Has Been Reviving Traditional Dances At These Festivals, For Example, Dances Such As Cheraw, Khuallam, Chheihlam And Chai.
The Culture Of The Mizo Tribes And Its Social Structure Has Undergone Tremendous Change Over 100 Years, Since The Arrival Of Christianity In The Late 1890s. Contemporary People Of Mizoram Celebrate Christmas, Easter And Other Christian Celebrations Replacing Many Of Old Tribal Customs And Practices.
The Growth Of Christianity, Scholars State,was Shaped From A Foundation Of Cultural, Religious And Socio-political Structure. One Such Foundation Cultural Element Of Mizo People Was Hnatlang, States Hlawndo, Which Literally Means Social Work, United Labour Or Community Labour (the Word Hna' Means Job Or Work In The Mizo Language; And Tlang' Means Together And Mutual). The Tribal Members Who Were Absent From Such Social Work (for Reasons Other Than Illness And Disability) Were Penalised - A Form Of Strong Peer Pressure. Jhum Cultivation And Raids On Neighbouring Tribes Required Hnatlang, The Spirit Of United Labour And Equal Sharing Of The End Result.
A Consequence Of Hnatlang Was The Culture Of Tlawmngaihna, Which Does Not Have A Direct English Translation. Tlawmngaihna As Cultural Concept Incorporates Behaviour That Is Self-sacrificing, Self-denying, Doing What An Occasion Demands Unselfishly And Without Concern For Inconvenience Caused, Persevering, Stoical, Stout-hearted, Plucky, Brave, Firm, Independent, Loath To Lose One's Good Reputation.thus, After A Fire Or Landslide Or Flood Damage, The Mizo Culture Is One Of Spontaneous Humble Social Work Without Demands Or Expectations.
Several Other Cultural Elements Of Ancient Mizo Tribes, Some Of Which Became Less Prevalent After Arrival Of Christianity, Included:
Zawlbuk: A Place Near The Chief's Home, Which Served As Defence Camp In Times Of War, As Well As "bachelor House" Where The Youth Gathered And Centre Of Village Life. Pathian: The Term For God, To Whom Prayers And Hymns Were Recited. The Evil Spirits Were Called Ramhuai. Nula-rim: The Method Of Courtship In Ancient Culture. Courtship, Pre-marital Sex And Polygamy Were Accepted. The Man And The Woman Could Have Many Partners. If The Woman Got Pregnant, The Man Was Required Either Marry Or Pay A Substantial Sum Called Sawnman. If The Woman's Parents Discover The Relationship, They Had A Right To Demand A Payment Called Khumpuikaiman. While Pre-marital Sex Was Accepted, A Woman Who Was Virgin At Marriage Was More Highly Esteemed Than One Who Wasn't. Pathlawi: A Young Married Man Who Engaged In Extra-marital Relationships, Something That Was Acceptable In Traditional Mizo Society. Ramrilekha: A Boundary Drawing That Identified A Chief's Tenured Land Called Ram. Only The Chief Owned The Land, And This Ownership Was Hereditary. The Tribe And Village Worked And Harvested The Land.
In Modern Mizoram, Much Of The Social Life Often Revolves Around Church. Community Establishments Exist In Urban Centres That Arrange Social Events, Sports Event, Musical Concerts, Comedy Shows And Other Activities.
Mizo Dish Is Made Of Steamed Vegetables Along With Pork, Spinach And Bamboo Shoot, And Spiced With Local Herbs. Though It's Mostly Prepared With Pork Sauce (made Out Of Pork And Mustard), It Can Be Made With Butter As Well To Make A Vegetarian Dish.
Bai Is A Mizo Cuisine Made Of Pork, Spinach And Bamboo Shoots. Bamboo Shoots Is A Very Popular Ingredient Used In Mizo Cuisines. The Smell Of Cooked Bamboo Shoot Is Something They Go Crazy For. Spinach Is Again Another Green Which Is Vastly Used By The Mizos In Ther Dishes.
This Is Another Mouth Watering Dish Where The Main Component Is The Chicken. Chicken Is At First Taken In Whole And Then Roasted In An Open Fire. After That It Is Taken Out Of The Fire And Then Mixed With Local Herbs And Sticky Rice And Made Into A Delicious Meal.
It Is Smoked Pork Which Is Flavored With Herbs Turning The Pork Into A Dish Worth Dying For. The Pieces Of Pork Are Beautiful Cubes Which Melts In The Mouth.
This Is A Special Shrimp Dish Where The Shrimps And Soon After That Vegetables Are Added And Then Served With Rice.
Roast Curry Made After Roasting The Duck In Grills Locally Made By The Mizos. The Curry Is A Delicious Mixture Of Different Spices And Local Herbs.
Products Made Out Of Bamboo And Cane Are The Most Prominent Products Of The State And Has Its Own Unique Attractive Feature. These Products Are Not Only Beautiful But Also Durable. Baskets, Furniture, Hats, Utensils And Many Other Items Are Made Out Of Bamboo And Cane. A Wide Market Covers These Products Within The State As Well As Outside The State. Apart From Shops And Market, The State Government Emporia Also Store A Large Number Of These Items.
A Very Popular Form Of Crafting In Mizoram, Basketry Is Something Where They Excel. Beautiful Baskets Can Be Seen Forming Out Of Soft Cane Fibres. The Baskets That They Make Come In Various Shapes And Sizes Ranging From Small To Big, With Lid To Without Lid. These Baskets Are Made Not Just For Show Purpose But For Usage As Well And They Can Be Used For Various Purposes.
Another Very Important Craft Here In The State Of Mizoram Is Weaving. The People Here Are Experts In The Field Of Weaving. Lovely Fabrics Are Created By Weaving Wonderful Patterns And Designs. There Are Some Great Traditional Designs That The Mizo Women Weave And Carry On The Age Old Antiquity Of The Place. Shawls Are Woven By The Mizo Women Flawlessly Using Their Own Patterns And Skills.
