Mizo Tribes - Lushei, Ralte, Hmar, Paihte, Pawi

Mizo Tribes - Lushei, Ralte, Hmar, Paihte, Pawi .The 5 major tribes are- Lushei, Ralte, Hmar, Paihte, Pawi (or Poi). Lets get more information on these tribes

Mizo Tribes -  Lushei, Ralte, Hmar, Paihte, Pawi

Mizo is not just one tribe as people normally presume, but the word represents several tribes together. The term Mizo means “the “men who live in the hills”(Mi- men; Zo- hills) or the Highlanders.

Mizo comprises of 5 major tribes and 11 minor tribes known under the common name Awzia. The 5 major tribes are- Lushei, Ralte, Hmar, Paihte, Pawi (or Poi). While major tribes maintained their respective dialects, the 11 minor tribes either lost their distinctive dialects as a result of association with larger tribes.

Lushei (Lushai)

Lushai’s are commonly known as Mizos. Racially they are known to be under Mongoliod origin.

The Pawi-Lusei people are the descendants of Thatinkuala and his fellowmen, who came from Daidin village near Gangaw.

Ralte

The Ralte tribe consisted of 4 main clans, divided into a number of smaller clans. The 4 main clans are Siakeng, Kawlni (Colney), Lelhchhun and Khelte.

Most Ralte clans do not specify their tribe and carry on with Ralte and mostly use Mizo ṭawng also sometimes known as Duhlian ṭawng. But, in the present day, as they are one of the fore founders and pillar of the Mizo ethnic identity, they are found settled in every part of Mizoram today.

Hmar

Hmar tribe is also called as Mhar or Mar. Hmar Tribe finds their roots from a place called Sinlung which is the ancestral home of Zonhnathlak.

Traditional dress of Hmar Tribal community is colorful filled with bright and radiant colors. Girls wear short skirts and the men wear coats and chongas.

Paite

The name Paite literally means 'the people who went.'  Paite is an Sino-Tibetan Language spoken by the Zomi. There are different Paite dialects. 

The language exhibits mutual intelligibility with the other languages of the region including Hmar, Vaiphei, Simte, Kom, Gangte and other languages.

Pawi and Lakher

'Pawi' and 'Lakher' are two ethnic groups living in the Indian state of Mizoram. The term 'Pawi' was not strictly speaking, the name of a clan, but it was the term used by the Lushais for all the people living near the Kolodyne. Further south, were the people belonging to the Lakher tribe. The Lushais used the name Pawi for the Lai tribes. 

FAQs

1. Hom Many Tribes are there in Mizoram ?

Ans: Mizo comprises of 5 major tribes. The 5 major tribes are- Lushei, Ralte, Hmar, Paihte, Pawi (or Poi)

2. What is the nickname of Mizoram?
Ans: Mizoram is also called a "peninsula state" as it is surrounded by international borders on three sides.

3. How do you say hello in Mizoram?
Ans: Mizo tawng: Hei hi a tha khawp in ka hria

Also Read :: Traditional Costumes of Mizoram for Women and Men