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Chin people
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chin (Burmese: ခ္ယင္လူမ္ယုိး; MLCTS: hkyang lu. myui:) is one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar (formerly Burma). The Chins are found mainly in western part of Burma (the Chin State) and numbered circa 1.5 million. They also live in nearby Indian states of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur and Assam. Owing to Mizo influence and Baptist missionaries' intervention, 80%-90% of the population are Christians. However, a sizeable minority of the Chin adhere to their traditional tribal beliefs, as well as to Theravada Buddhism and, as Bnei Menashe, to Judaism.
The Chin are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in Burma. The Chin people are Tibeto-Burman groups and they probably came to Burma, especially the Chindwin valley in the late 9-10 century A.D. Most Chin people moved westward and they probably settled in the present Chin State around A.D 1300-1400 A.D. The original meaning of "Chin" is clearly unclear, even though many scholars have proposed many different theories.
There are many tribes among the Chin people such as Lai, Tedim (who prefer to call themselves Zomi as the word "Chin" is not in their own language; note the resemblance to Mizo of the neighbouring Mizoram state in India), Asho and Cho. Three major tribes of the Chin are Tedim, Falam and the Hakas. It would be relevant to mention also that they are related to the Kukis of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam. For want of a more acceptable common name they are usually called the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people, bringing together the three most common names for them whether given by outsiders or themselves. There are also ten of thousands of Chin people in Mizoram State, India, mainly in Lai District, formerly part of Chhimtuipui District and a sizeable population also live in Churachandpur district of Manipur comprising of smaller tribes like the Hmars, Paite, Simte, Zou,Gangte and others. Bawn tribe in Southern Mizoram State and Bangladesh are descendants of the Lai tribe. This Chin/Mizo/Zomi/Kuki people are scattered into three countries-Burma, Bangladesh, and India.
The realisation that these are of one and share common dilectical root and customs even though separated by international and state boundaries brought about movements for Unification of the occupied territories and of the people. One of the first movements being the MNF (Mizo National Movement) which ended with the formation of the Mizoram State in India. At present, there are a number of organisations like, the ZRO (Zomi Re-Unification Organisation), ZORO and other groups, who idealise the formation and unification of the a Zoland.
Traditionally, the Chin were animists. However, during the era of European imperialism, many converted to Christianity. It would also be noteworthy that because of the current situation in Myanmar hundreds of Chins [Zo] are scattered in Europe, the United States, Southeast Asia.
