Mara people

Not to be confused with the Marra people of Australia.

Mara people (Lakher)
Total population
42,885[1] (2011)
Regions with significant populations
India (Mizoram)
Myanmar (Chin State)
Languages
Religion
Christianity[2]

The Mara (Mara Chin: Mara, pronounced [mərà]; Burmese: မရာ, pronounced [mərà]), also historically known as Lakher, are an ethnic group native to Mizoram, India, and Chin State, Myanmar.[3]

Ethnonyms

While the community refers to themselves as Mara, various exonyms have been used by neighboring tribes and colonial authorities. The Lushei referred to them as Lakher. Early British records called them Shendu before adopting the Lushei term.[4][5] They were also called "Yo" (Zo) by the British, presumably learned from the Lai. [6]

Geography

Maraland is divided between India and Myanmar, straddling the international border.

West Maraland

West Maraland lies in Mizoram, India. It constitutes a distinct administrative region with its own Siaha district and enjoys autonomy through the Mara Autonomous District Council.

East Maraland

East Maraland is located in Chin State, Myanmar. It is divided into two main districts: Thantlang District (locally known as "Chha Mara") and Matupi District ("Fei Mara").

Thantlang District

There are 9 Mara villages in the Thantlang District: Locheipi (Lungcawipi), Locheita (Luncawite), Ngephepi (Ngaphaipi), Ngepheta (Ngaphaite), Lodao (Inhmunpi), Meisakotla (Fartlang), Khipilu (Khuapilu), Lelai (Lailen) and La-ao (Lau).

Matupi District

There are several more Mara villages in the Matupi District, namely: Lochei (Luncawi), Dawlei (Darling), Sabyta (Sabongte), Sabypi (Sabongpi), Lialaipi (Lailenpi), Lialaita (Lailente), Sosai (Sungsen), Poitia (Pintia), and many more.

History

Early migrations

The Mara people are believed to have migrated from the north, driven southward by pressure from the east. They initially settled between Leitak and Leisai, eventually crossing the Kaladan River and establishing a settlement in Phusa in the Lushai Hills. From Phusa, they moved to Beukhi, where two subgroups—the Siaha and Saiko Tlongsais—emerged, each establishing new settlements named Siaha and Serkawr, respectively. It is estimated that the Mara have been settled in the Lushai Hills for approximately 300 to 400 years.[a][7]

Notes

  1. ^ Parry's book was published in 1924 and referred to the migration as occurring 200–300 years prior.

References

  1. ^ "Mizoram". 2011 Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  2. ^ Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Population Census 2011. Table ST-14: Scheduled tribe population by religious community (State/UT level), Mizoram - 2011
  3. ^ Zohra, K. An Introductory Notes to Mara District of South Mizoram, India.
  4. ^ Shakespear, John (1912). The Lushei Kuki Clans. London: Macmillan and Company, limited. p. 213.
  5. ^ Parry, N.E; Hutton, J.E (1932). The Lakhers. London: Macmillan & Co, Limited. p. 1.
  6. ^ Tuck, H. N. (1896). The Chin Hills Vol. 1.
  7. ^ Parry & Hutton 1932, p. 2.

See also

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