Paite
Encyclopedia
The Paites are one of the constituting tribes of the Zomi
who inhabit Burma, India
and Bangladesh
. The word paite means " a group of people marching " or 'Walkers' in a word,(pai-march ;te - "plural maker"). The Paites are a recognised scheduled tribe in Manipur as well as in Mizoram. The Paites concentrated in Manipur, a northeastern state of India
. They are dominant in Lamka Town located in Churachandpur District of Manipur state with a population of 60 thousands (as per the population consensus 2001). Almost all ethnic Paites follows Christianity, mostly Protestant denominations like Baptists, Lutherans, Penticostal, Church of Christ though there are a good percentage of Roman Catholics as well. They adopted Christianity in the 19th century with the intervention of British missionaries.
The Paites belong to the Northern Chin sub-groups of Kuki-Chin (Grierson 1967: 59) locally under the Zomi. The Zomi literally meaning people of the hills, concentrate in the Chin State of Myanmar, Mizoram and Manipur states of India. According to the local traditions, these groups of people originated from a pit somewhere in Central China, as believed. The Burman's are also believed to have migrated from Western China to the headwaters of the Irrawadi as the Tibetans did (Clewel 1949: 194). The cave or pit mentioned above is called Khuul in Paite and it means a grave or hole, literally. The Lushais call it Chhinlung and the Hmars call it Sinlung.
The Paites are mainly shy, introvert people who are sincerely devoted in whatsoever they perform. Their main occupation is still cultivation though they have achieved much at the various offices of the Federal India. In spite of their minority status, there are some prominent paites who have achieved in the mainstream governance of the Indian Union, according to a national consensus - it was learnt that the Paites are one of the most educationally advanced ethnic group in India'
These days Paite tribes are spread throughout the whole world.
There is also a large Paite population in the Indian State of Mizoram. They are well integrated in the Mizo group which consist of many very similar tribes. Mizo being the predominant inclusive name for the tribes of the area, as opposite to Zomi which is preferred in Manipur and Burma. Usually people of the Paite tribe in Mizoram have the letter P before their given name which is more or less the only way to distinguish Paite-Mizo from non Paite-Mizo.
The Paites live in Churachandpur district in Southern Manipur. Along with Thadou, Vaiphei, Zou
, Gangte, Hmar, Milhiem
and others they were referred to as Chin-Kuki group in the past. At present, they call themselves as Paite and affiliate to Zomi denomination. They also believed in supreme God Pathian and believed to have originated from a cave or Khul. Their population was 49,271, spreading over 125 villages. Folksongs and folktales related to everyday life and culture of the people are orally passed through generations. They are an educated group of tribes and participate actively in local and state politics.
Northern Zomi
The Northern Zomi constitutes the Galte (Ralte), Gangte, Paite, Sihzang, Simte, Tedim, Vaiphei, Thadou, Zou
, Milhiem
/Mirem etc. They are found to have been geographically concentrated in such locations as the Tonzang
district and the Tedim
district (both in Burma), the north-east of Mizoram, the Naga Hills, the Somra Tracts, the Hkamti district, the Kale-Kabaw valley and Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam
. The Northern Zomi’s socio-cultural system is basically complex but despite important structural distinctions, they have closer affinity to the Central Zomi, rather than to the Southern tribes.
The Zomi tribes inhabiting the Tripura state of India are the Molsom, Langrong, Chongrai, Bong, Kaipeng, Hrangkhawl, Ruankhum, Darlong, Lushei, Rangchan, Paite/Paitu, Namte, Mizel, Lantei, Laifang, Fun, Khephong, Khareng, Balte, Jantei, and Hajango.
In Bangladesh, about seven Zo tribes can be identified viz; the Bawmzo, Asho, Khami or Khumi, Kuki, Lushei, Mosho and Pankhu.
Almost all the tribes inhabiting the Chin State
in Burma and Mizoram state in India belong to Zo racial groups.
Ethnologically, the above named tribes belong to Zomi group because their progenitor is Zo. The close ethnicity is proved by the peculiarity that though variations in dialects exist, the Zomi - unlike other tribes - can converse with one another in their respective dialects with 70% comprehension. Thus the chain of their relationship is circumscribed not only by geographical bounds, but more often by racial unity.
A more detailed study into Zomi languages was made in 1931 and 44 (forty four) separate dialects were recorded as belonging to Kuki-Chin (Zomi) group.
As per the memorandum submitted to the British Government on April 22, 1947 by the Mizo Union, 47 (forty seven) major Mizo tribes were included, viz Aimol, Anal, Bawng, Baite, Bawngzo, Chiru, Chawhte, Chawrai, Chawngthu, Darlawng, Dawn, Fanai, Hmar, Hrangkhawl, Hnamte, Kaihpen, Khumi, Khiangte, Khiangte, Khawlhring, Kawm, Lushei, Lakher, Langrong, Mualthum, Miria, Ngente, Paite, Pawi, Purum, Pangkhua, Pangte, Pante, Pawite, Ralte, Renthlei, Thadou, Tarau, Tikhup, Tloanglau, Tlau, Vangchhia, Vaiphei, Zou
, Zawngte and Gangte.
Central Zomi
The Central Zomi includes the Falams, the Hakas, the Thantlang, the Maras (Lakhers), the Lushei, the Hmars, the Zahaus, the Hualngou, the Khuanglis, the Tlasun, the Laizou, the Bawmzou, the Zoukhuas, the Tawrs, the Zoutung, the Ngentes, the Kneltes, the Fanais, etc. They are found to have been geographically concentrated in such locations as Northern Arakan District, the Pokokku Hills, the Central portion of Chin State (all in Burma), Mizoram, Tripura Hills and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
Southern Zomi
The Southern Zomi includes the Asho, the people of Kanpetlet, Patletwa and Matupi areas such as Chinbok, Chinme, Chinbon, Khumi, Khami, Mro, and Matu. The Asho (or the plains’ Chin) are found to have been geographically concentrated in such locations as Thayetmo, Insein, Minbu, Prome, Aunglam, Akyab, Sandoway, Syrian and Cape of Morton in the plains of Burma. Among the Southern Zomi, the Khyang and Chaungtha in Paletwa district of the Chin State have old relationships with the Arakan, like that of the Old Kuki to Manipur and Tripura.
But eventually Zomi and Mizo are quite the same. They both have the same meaning which is "Hill people". Their cultural dress, dance and way of life are basically the same. Some of them even share the same folklore.
There is a wild conception going on that Paite's are not a part of the Mizo tribe. Paite is one of the major Mizo tribe which still has its own Different dialect. While the Mizo use the Lushai/ Duhlian dialect. Not all Mizos are Lushai. Mizo is a poetic word of Zomi(People of the Hills/Hill People/Highlanders), it is collection of all the ZO tribes under the same umbrella.
Zou people
The Zou people is an indigenous community living along the frontier of India and Burma. In India, they live with and are similar in language and habits to the Paite and the Simte peoples, all of which are called Zomi. In Burma, Zou are counted among the Chin people...
who inhabit Burma, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. The word paite means " a group of people marching " or 'Walkers' in a word,(pai-march ;te - "plural maker"). The Paites are a recognised scheduled tribe in Manipur as well as in Mizoram. The Paites concentrated in Manipur, a northeastern state of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They are dominant in Lamka Town located in Churachandpur District of Manipur state with a population of 60 thousands (as per the population consensus 2001). Almost all ethnic Paites follows Christianity, mostly Protestant denominations like Baptists, Lutherans, Penticostal, Church of Christ though there are a good percentage of Roman Catholics as well. They adopted Christianity in the 19th century with the intervention of British missionaries.
The Paites belong to the Northern Chin sub-groups of Kuki-Chin (Grierson 1967: 59) locally under the Zomi. The Zomi literally meaning people of the hills, concentrate in the Chin State of Myanmar, Mizoram and Manipur states of India. According to the local traditions, these groups of people originated from a pit somewhere in Central China, as believed. The Burman's are also believed to have migrated from Western China to the headwaters of the Irrawadi as the Tibetans did (Clewel 1949: 194). The cave or pit mentioned above is called Khuul in Paite and it means a grave or hole, literally. The Lushais call it Chhinlung and the Hmars call it Sinlung.
The Paites are mainly shy, introvert people who are sincerely devoted in whatsoever they perform. Their main occupation is still cultivation though they have achieved much at the various offices of the Federal India. In spite of their minority status, there are some prominent paites who have achieved in the mainstream governance of the Indian Union, according to a national consensus - it was learnt that the Paites are one of the most educationally advanced ethnic group in India'
These days Paite tribes are spread throughout the whole world.
There is also a large Paite population in the Indian State of Mizoram. They are well integrated in the Mizo group which consist of many very similar tribes. Mizo being the predominant inclusive name for the tribes of the area, as opposite to Zomi which is preferred in Manipur and Burma. Usually people of the Paite tribe in Mizoram have the letter P before their given name which is more or less the only way to distinguish Paite-Mizo from non Paite-Mizo.
The Paites live in Churachandpur district in Southern Manipur. Along with Thadou, Vaiphei, Zou
Zou
Zou or ZOU may refer to*Zou people , indigenous community living along Indo-Burma frontier*Zou people *Zou Department of Benin*Zou, Côte d'Ivoire, town and commune in Côte d'Ivoire*Zou...
, Gangte, Hmar, Milhiem
Milhiem
The Milhiems are an ethnic group living in parts of Northeast India and Myanmar. Some writers refer to them as Milhem, Meriem, Mirem, Marrem or Miriam. They belong to the "Old Kuki tribes" of Manipur. The Milhiems believe that they descend from a common ancestor who came from a cave which they call...
and others they were referred to as Chin-Kuki group in the past. At present, they call themselves as Paite and affiliate to Zomi denomination. They also believed in supreme God Pathian and believed to have originated from a cave or Khul. Their population was 49,271, spreading over 125 villages. Folksongs and folktales related to everyday life and culture of the people are orally passed through generations. They are an educated group of tribes and participate actively in local and state politics.
The Zomi Tribes
Let us now turn our attention to the Zo generic under which the Paites constitute a sub-clan or tribe. Listed below are the various tribes under the Zo umbrella. In the present day, the Zomis, of which the Paites form a tribe under it, are divided into three geo-political regions.Northern Zomi
The Northern Zomi constitutes the Galte (Ralte), Gangte, Paite, Sihzang, Simte, Tedim, Vaiphei, Thadou, Zou
Zou
Zou or ZOU may refer to*Zou people , indigenous community living along Indo-Burma frontier*Zou people *Zou Department of Benin*Zou, Côte d'Ivoire, town and commune in Côte d'Ivoire*Zou...
, Milhiem
Milhiem
The Milhiems are an ethnic group living in parts of Northeast India and Myanmar. Some writers refer to them as Milhem, Meriem, Mirem, Marrem or Miriam. They belong to the "Old Kuki tribes" of Manipur. The Milhiems believe that they descend from a common ancestor who came from a cave which they call...
/Mirem etc. They are found to have been geographically concentrated in such locations as the Tonzang
Tonzang
Tonzang is an Indo-Myanmar village within the Churachandpur district of Manipur, India. Along with Hiangtam, it is one of the oldest Zou settlements in Manipur.- "Sim" & "Mal" Tonzang :...
district and the Tedim
Tedim
Tedim is a town in Chin State in the northwestern part of Myanmar. The name "Tedim" was derived from a pool on the top of the hills that used to be twinkling under sun's light, therefore, called "te " and "dim " in local Paite dialect.-Early history:As a result of lack of a formal writing system...
district (both in Burma), the north-east of Mizoram, the Naga Hills, the Somra Tracts, the Hkamti district, the Kale-Kabaw valley and Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
. The Northern Zomi’s socio-cultural system is basically complex but despite important structural distinctions, they have closer affinity to the Central Zomi, rather than to the Southern tribes.
The Zomi tribes inhabiting the Tripura state of India are the Molsom, Langrong, Chongrai, Bong, Kaipeng, Hrangkhawl, Ruankhum, Darlong, Lushei, Rangchan, Paite/Paitu, Namte, Mizel, Lantei, Laifang, Fun, Khephong, Khareng, Balte, Jantei, and Hajango.
In Bangladesh, about seven Zo tribes can be identified viz; the Bawmzo, Asho, Khami or Khumi, Kuki, Lushei, Mosho and Pankhu.
Almost all the tribes inhabiting the Chin State
Chin State
Chin State is a state located in western Burma . The Chin State is bordered by Rakhine State in the south, Bangladesh in south-west, Sagaing Division and Magway Division in the east, Indian state of Manipur in the north and Indian state of Mizoram in the west. The Chin ethnic group make up the...
in Burma and Mizoram state in India belong to Zo racial groups.
Ethnologically, the above named tribes belong to Zomi group because their progenitor is Zo. The close ethnicity is proved by the peculiarity that though variations in dialects exist, the Zomi - unlike other tribes - can converse with one another in their respective dialects with 70% comprehension. Thus the chain of their relationship is circumscribed not only by geographical bounds, but more often by racial unity.
A more detailed study into Zomi languages was made in 1931 and 44 (forty four) separate dialects were recorded as belonging to Kuki-Chin (Zomi) group.
As per the memorandum submitted to the British Government on April 22, 1947 by the Mizo Union, 47 (forty seven) major Mizo tribes were included, viz Aimol, Anal, Bawng, Baite, Bawngzo, Chiru, Chawhte, Chawrai, Chawngthu, Darlawng, Dawn, Fanai, Hmar, Hrangkhawl, Hnamte, Kaihpen, Khumi, Khiangte, Khiangte, Khawlhring, Kawm, Lushei, Lakher, Langrong, Mualthum, Miria, Ngente, Paite, Pawi, Purum, Pangkhua, Pangte, Pante, Pawite, Ralte, Renthlei, Thadou, Tarau, Tikhup, Tloanglau, Tlau, Vangchhia, Vaiphei, Zou
Zou
Zou or ZOU may refer to*Zou people , indigenous community living along Indo-Burma frontier*Zou people *Zou Department of Benin*Zou, Côte d'Ivoire, town and commune in Côte d'Ivoire*Zou...
, Zawngte and Gangte.
Central Zomi
The Central Zomi includes the Falams, the Hakas, the Thantlang, the Maras (Lakhers), the Lushei, the Hmars, the Zahaus, the Hualngou, the Khuanglis, the Tlasun, the Laizou, the Bawmzou, the Zoukhuas, the Tawrs, the Zoutung, the Ngentes, the Kneltes, the Fanais, etc. They are found to have been geographically concentrated in such locations as Northern Arakan District, the Pokokku Hills, the Central portion of Chin State (all in Burma), Mizoram, Tripura Hills and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
Southern Zomi
The Southern Zomi includes the Asho, the people of Kanpetlet, Patletwa and Matupi areas such as Chinbok, Chinme, Chinbon, Khumi, Khami, Mro, and Matu. The Asho (or the plains’ Chin) are found to have been geographically concentrated in such locations as Thayetmo, Insein, Minbu, Prome, Aunglam, Akyab, Sandoway, Syrian and Cape of Morton in the plains of Burma. Among the Southern Zomi, the Khyang and Chaungtha in Paletwa district of the Chin State have old relationships with the Arakan, like that of the Old Kuki to Manipur and Tripura.
But eventually Zomi and Mizo are quite the same. They both have the same meaning which is "Hill people". Their cultural dress, dance and way of life are basically the same. Some of them even share the same folklore.
There is a wild conception going on that Paite's are not a part of the Mizo tribe. Paite is one of the major Mizo tribe which still has its own Different dialect. While the Mizo use the Lushai/ Duhlian dialect. Not all Mizos are Lushai. Mizo is a poetic word of Zomi(People of the Hills/Hill People/Highlanders), it is collection of all the ZO tribes under the same umbrella.