Zomi people
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The Zomi people are one of the main groups of the Zo (Kuki-Chin-Mizo) tribes. They live in mostly the India–Myanmar border, as well as in Bangladesh.[1][2] The Zomi encompasses the various tribes like Paite and Chin, and the Zomi tribe that is called Chin is the Tiddim/Tedim. They call themselves Zomi and they speak their own language. The Zomi language is basically the language of the Tedim/Tiddim and is related to the Paite language.
Zomi Ethnic Identity and Cultural Heritage[edit]
The Zo people, also known as the Zomi, are an ethnic group native to northeastern India, northwest Myanmar, and eastern Bangladesh. They have a rich cultural heritage and distinct languages and customs. A significant aspect of their identity is their self-designation as "Zomi," combining the ancestral name "Zo" with "mi," meaning people in Zopau, their spoken language.
Historically, the term Zo or Jo has been documented in various contexts, such as by Fan Chuo of the Tang dynasty and Father Sangermo in 1783. The British colonial administration complicated their identity by using various names like Kuki, Lushai, and Chin, terms initially employed by non-tribal plain peoples of Burma, Bangladesh, and India to refer to the "wild hill tribes" in un-administered areas. The umbrella term "Kuki-Chin-Mizo" is often used to encompass the different ethnic groups inhabiting the Chin hills and surrounding regions. [3]
However, there is a movement among Zomi intellectuals and leaders to consolidate their identity under the name Zomi, which is widely recognized and historically significant. Many prefer "Zomi" due to its historical significance and connection to the people of the Chin hills, seeking to unite under a common tribal name. Despite this, the term "Kuki-Chin-Mizo" continues to be preferred by many due to its historical prevalence during colonial times, leading to internal conflicts and debates. Some argue that "Kuki-Chin-Mizo" is too broad and fails to reflect the diversity of the ethnic groups it encompasses, while others find it useful for grouping together the different sub-ethnic groups that make up the Zomi people.
The term "Chin" is not widely accepted by the Zo people, especially the people living in Northern Chin state, for several reasons. Primarily, it was popularized during British colonial rule and adopted from the Burmese, making it an external imposition rather than an authentic self-designation. Over time, "Chin" has accumulated derogatory connotations, often associated with being uncivilized or backward, which many Zo people find offensive. Additionally, the term lacks the deep historical connection that "Zo" holds within their ancestral heritage. The Zo people encompass diverse clans and sub-groups with unique identities, such as Mizo, Zomi, Sho, and Lai, and they prefer self-designations that accurately reflect this diversity. Names like "Zomi" or "Mizo" are viewed as more respectful and meaningful, better honoring their cultural heritage and identity.
The term "Zomi" enjoys widespread acceptance among various clans and sub-groups within the Zo community, particularly in regions such as Manipur's Lamka (Churachandpur) area in India and the Tedim and Tonzang area in Myanmar's Chin State. In Mizoram, India, the Mizo people also identify closely with the broader Zo identity. Leaders and intellectuals in these regions advocate for "Zomi" as a unifying and historically significant designation that transcends colonial-era categorizations. This growing acceptance reflects a concerted effort to unite under a shared cultural heritage and identity, reclaiming their ancestral name as a symbol of pride and solidarity.
Diaspora[edit]
As of 2018[update], the Zomi are the second-largest ethnic group in the Burmese diaspora in the United States.[4] About 10000 Zomi live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is referred to as "Zomi Town" within the Burmese diaspora.[5] The concentration of Zomi in Tulsa is related to the fact that the Zomi are a largely Christian ethnic group and faced persecution in Myanmar under the military dictatorship.[1] The resettlement of Zomi refugees to Tulsa was in part catalyzed by Dr. Chin Do Kham, who moved to Tulsa in the 1970s to study at Oral Roberts University, a Christian institution in southern Tulsa.[6]
Popular culture[edit]
The first Zomi-language movie to receive a full-length theatrical debut was a 2021 English-Zomi bilingual film, written and directed by Burmese refugee Thang Mung, called Thorn in the Center of the Heart. The film first premiered in Michigan, where Mung was resettled by U.S. refugee services as a teenager.[7]
See also[edit]
- Zomi Congress for Democracy - Political party in Myanmar
- Zomi Revolutionary Army - Ethnic armed organization
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Zomi USA: How a city in Oklahoma became home to an ethnic group from Southeast Asia". NBC News. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ George, Sam (2019-01-15). Diaspora Christianities: Global Scattering and Gathering of South Asian Christians. Fortress Press. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-5064-4706-3.
- ^ Suantak, Vumson (1986-01-01). Zo history: With an introduction to Zo culture, economy, religion and their status as an ethnic minority in India, Burma, and Bangladesh. Vumson. p. 1-7.
- ^ Mung, Daniel (2018). The promised land : Zomi diaspora in Tulsa (Thesis).
- ^ Krishna, Priya (2022-06-27). "In Tulsa, a Burmese Cooking Tradition Takes the Spotlight". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ Writer, TIM STANLEY World Staff (2013-10-16). "Former ORU professor, Myanmar native Cin Do Kham dies at 54". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ Shields, Lauren (August 30, 2021). ""Thorn in the Center of the Heart" will be Grand Ledge Sun Theatre's first showing since COVID". Fox 47 News. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
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