The Mizos are of the Mongoloid family

Madugundu Krishna August 20, 2012

The Mizos are of the Mongoloid family

One of the notices differences in stature, complexion, pigment of these eye, hair and other features among different sub- tribes. Among the major tribal groups Lushai, Hmar, Ralte, Paihte, Pawi, Chakma and Lakher deserve special mention. Traditionally, the Lushais were dominant and most of the chiefs belonged to the Lushai clans of Sailo, Rokhum and Zadeng. In fact, during the British period this area was known as Lushai Hills and Kipling spoke of having `chivvied the Naga and Looshai’. With the advent of democracy, to satisfy the non- Lushai tribes, the name was changed by an act of Parliament to the more general `Mizo Hills.’ Barring the Chakmas and Lakhers, who prefer to call themselves Maras, all other tribes speak the Mizo language. The Chamas speak a dialect similar to Bengali and Assamese while the Maras have their own language.

In the traditional religion of the Mizos, when a man dies his spirit enters the `dead man’s village’ with the spirits of all animals and human beings killed by him in his lifetime. The more numerous of the spirits of the slain is the better for a man’s spirit after his death. This was a probable motive for head –hunting. A few teasing village belles could –of their valor. Whatever be the cause, the raids become frequent and the district officers in Cachar and Chittagong called for a punitive expedition. The native hills of the Mizos were annexed by the British and by 1898, it came completely under British control under a superintend stationed at Aizawl.