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Coordinates: 22°0′N, 93°30′E

ခ္ယင္‌းပ္ရည္‌နယ္‌ Chin State (MLCTS: kyang: pranynai)
Capital	Hakha
Region	Western
Area	36,018 km²
Population	473,000 (538,000 in 2005)
Ethnicities	Chin, Bamar
Religions	Christianity, Buddhism

Chin State is a state of Myanmar. Its capital is Hakha. The capital of Chin State was Falam, but it was moved to Haka later. Chinland was never part of Burma/Myanmar until the British colonized the whole Burma and India and ruled the Chinland. Only after Pinlong agreement was signed that Chin State become a part of Burma. The Pinlong agreement was signed only to received independence from the British rule. The Burmese government was to give Chinland and other ethnic minorities their own land back after gaining independence. However, due to the assassination of General Aung San, the Pinlong agreement was ignored and was not honored by the government at that time. Chinland has been ignored by Burmese military government for years. The roads are barely useable, and transportation seems to be nonexistent. However, due to that reason, the Burmese people do not want to live in Chinland thus the Chin State consists of more than 80% of Chin people until 1988 uprising in the country. After 1988 uprising, the military government had sent battalions of soldiers to Chinland disturbing peace, raping the Chin womemn, and rule the Chinland maliciously. For these reasons, many Chin people had fled their own land asking for refugees and running around like orphans. Families are broken, and some are lost or never to be found again. The brutality of the military government towards the Chin people is inhumane and the United Nations must consider giving the Chin people refuge.

There are 14 townships in the Chin State: Cikha, Hakha, Falam, Kanpalet, Matupi, Rezua, Mindat, Paletwa, Rihkhuadar, Thantlang, Tedim, Tuithang and Tonzang.

The Chin are made up of many sub-groups which although historically related now speak divergent languages and have different cultural and historical identities. Some think that the name Chin seems to be an exonym given by the Burmese and is of unclear origin - although 'basket' and 'friends' are the best contenders. These names are justified respectively by the fact that Chin are known for their weaving skills and have been in trade relations with the lowlands for many years.

The term ZO is the most common name for Teddim and Tonzang people while the term "Laimi" is the most common name for Falam and Haka people. Chin people are called by different names such as Chin, Zomi, Kuki, Laimi and others based on their own different dialects. There is a belief that the term 'Chin' comes from the great Chin people from China. These people were forced to work in the building of the great wall. Some have escaped to Burma and then moved around until they reached the Chinland. Therefore, though 'Chin' is not included in their word, it could have come from the Chinese descent. Each tribe has its own name, e.g. Zahau, Asho, Laizo, Zyou, Laimi, Zomi, K'cho etc. These terms could well be cognates, but each has its own pronunciation and sometimes its own meaning. Because of this it seems difficult to choose the particular pronunciation of one language to represent all of them.

The word 'Salai' is used for every Chin man (similar to Mr.), and 'Mai'(Similar to Miss) for women.The word 'Pu' is used for elderly Chin and Chin leaders such as Pu Chin Sian Thang, President of Zomi National Congress, member of Parliament and member of Committee Representing the People's Parliament (Burma).The title of 'Pu' is a term of respect, failure to use it where it might be expected may be interpreted as a sign of disrespect. The word 'Pi' is used to address the elderly Chin woman. Different tribes also practice different ways in naming people. For example, the Zahaus use 'Huvaal' to address a gentleman (who's still single), whereas 'Huleeng' is used to address a single woman.

The word 'Zo' is a historic and origin name for the so called 'Chin' people who live in Myanmar, India and Bangladesh. They are also closely related to the Mizo of Mizoram (India).

The Chin form the majority of Chin State. Owing to missionaries' work over the last hundred years, a great deal of the population now identifies itself as Christian. A sizeable minority, however, adheres to animist beliefs and Theravada Buddhism.

For more cultural information about the Chin see: F.K. Lehman. 1963. 'The Structure of Chin Society;: A Tribal People of Burma Adapted to a Non-Western Civilization.' University of Illinois Press.

Chin test of Wikipedia at Wikimedia Incubator

• Chin Community in Denmark
• Chin Christian Fellowship in Denmark
• MITCS
• Chin National Front
• Chin Forum
• Chin Human Rights Organization
• ZOGAM Home
• News from Zomi in India
• Chin Community Germany
• The official website of Zomi Reunification Organisation
• Zomi Information Network
• Chin Community in Japan
• Chin Community in Norway
• Zomi International Network
• Zo Aw Blog

Subdivisions of Burma
States: Chin | Kachin | Kayah | Kayin | Mon | Rakhine | Shan Divisions: Ayeyarwady | Bago | Magway | Mandalay | Sagaing | Tanintharyi | Yangon