Mizo

Mizo refers to an ethnolinguistic group from Northeast India, primarily concentrated in the state of Mizoram where they form the largest population. The term is also used for the Mizo language, historically known as Lushai. The Mizo are part of the broader Tibeto-Burman linguistic family and are culturally linked with other hill peoples of the region.

Language and script: The Mizo language belongs to the Kuki-Chin–Mizo subgroup of Tibeto-Burman and is written in the Roman script in modern use. It is the dominant language in Mizoram and is widely used in education, media, and daily communication.

History and society: The Mizo identity developed through interactions with British colonial authorities and Christian missionaries in the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1986, the Mizo National Front proclaimed independence, leading to an armed insurgency that ended with the Mizoram Peace Accord. Mizoram subsequently became a full state of India in 1987. Today, most Mizo are Christians, with Baptist and Presbyterian denominations being prominent; there are also Hindu and traditionalist communities in smaller numbers. Traditional arts such as the Cheraw bamboo dance and weaving are notable aspects of Mizo culture.

Geography and demographics: While Mizoram is the core homeland, Mizo communities can be found in parts of neighboring states including Manipur, Assam, and Tripura. A diaspora exists in other Indian states and abroad. The term “Mizo” can also be used in broader cultural contexts to refer to various subgroups within the regional hill communities that identify with the Mizo language and heritage.