The Mizo people in Myanmar, historically Burma National Lushais ( Burmese: လူရှိုင်း) are Myanmar citizens with full or partial Mizo ancestry. Although various Mizo tribes have lived in Myanmar for the past centuries, the first batch of Mizos migrated back to Myanmar starting from the mid-19th century till the 20th due to the Mizo National Front uprising. ^[2]

The Mizo people do not influence the rest of Myanmar culturally but Mizoram, the native land of the Mizos, has been helping refugees from Myanmar since 1962 after Myanmar's first coup. It was more noticiable after the 8888 Uprising in 1988 and the coup and civil war in 2021. ^[3] They have also raised funds; such as the Chinlung Chuak Artists, a band of Mizo and Burmese singers finding funds for the displaced in Myanmar.

The exact population of the Mizos is estimated to be 250,000-400,000 in Myanmar. Among them, over 200,000 reside in the town of Kalay. They are part of the Mizo diaspora and the larger Zo community.

History

The first census taken in the Chin Hills in 1896 showed there were twenty Mizo villages with 608 houses. Then, in 1914, another batch of Mizos led by Kapmawia from Champhai district migrated. Most Burmese Mizos have a military background. Around the 1940s in Lushai Hills (present-day Mizoram), it was considered popular to join the Burmese Army. ^[4] Hence, there were 500 Mizos in the Burmese Army in 1947, and the number grew to 3,000 in 1960.

The first Mizo town in Myanmar founded by Mizo migrants is Letpankone in Sagaing Region, or in Mizo, known as Sainguauva khua.

In a government-led estimation in 1972, there were 83 Mizo villages with 5,736 homes of 33,554 people in Myanmar. ^[5]

Culture

Most Burmese Mizos are Christians and speak Mizo and Burmese. Chapchar Kut, a famous Mizo festival, and more are celebrated publicly in Kalay. ^[6]

It has introduced some Mizo dishes to Myanmar such as:

• Sabutui
• Bài
• Samțawk kàn

Citizenship

Most Mizos in Myanmar officially identify with the Chin ethnic group. However, in the past, the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League encouraged Mizos to come from Mizoram and settle in Myanmar. Some thought of it as a tactic so the party could gain votes. This was the same case for the Manipuris as well. ^{[7] [8]}

Notable Burmese Mizos

• Aye Nyein Thu
• Aye Aye Mu (politician)
• Chaw Su Khin
• Lar Dint Htar Yi
• Mary Dawngi
• Nway Oo
• Omomi Khiangte
• SaiWanah
• Sasa (politician)

Footnotes

References