Who Are Zomi?
Zomi are one of the many ethnic groups who live in Burma, Bangladesh
and India. The
collective name Zomi people inhabit Chin
State, part of Sagaing Division in Burma
and part of Rakhine State
in Burma.
Mizoram state of India, part of Manipur state of India
called Churachandpur district and part of Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.
Zomi or Mizo is the most commonly know identiy regardless of whether they live in India, Burma or Bangladesh. The Zomi are considered to be Tibeto-Burman race. The Burmese called them Chin, The Bengali called them Kuki, the Indian called them Lushai but they never called themselves by those names. The names given by their neighbors such as Lushai, Kuki and Chin are not their national names. Unfortunately, none of them recognized the term Chin though officially recognized and accepted so far, nor do they like to be called Chin or Lushai. The term Chin is an old Burmese word for fellow, companion or friend. The term Chin and Chindwin are mentioned in the Pagan inscriptions from the beginning of the 13th century AD.
Zomi or Mizo can be used interchangeably and exactly the same meaning which means Zo men or persons. The Zomi identity issues was officially submitted to the British and Indian Governments in the historical document called Mizo Memorandum by The Mizo Union which was founded in April 9, 1964. In fact, Lushai was officially replaced when Mizoram was granted Statehood on February 20, 1987.
Zomi in Washington State
Due to religious and racial persecutions by the military ruling regime, most of the Zomi are seeking refuge in America, Europe and Australia. Many Zomi are resettling in America in many other States and also in Washington State since 2008. Most are scattered in cities like Auburn, Burien, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, Spoken, Tacoma, and Tukwila. Many of these Zomi have come from refugee camps in India, Thailand and Malaysia.
Zomi or Mizo is the most commonly know identiy regardless of whether they live in India, Burma or Bangladesh. The Zomi are considered to be Tibeto-Burman race. The Burmese called them Chin, The Bengali called them Kuki, the Indian called them Lushai but they never called themselves by those names. The names given by their neighbors such as Lushai, Kuki and Chin are not their national names. Unfortunately, none of them recognized the term Chin though officially recognized and accepted so far, nor do they like to be called Chin or Lushai. The term Chin is an old Burmese word for fellow, companion or friend. The term Chin and Chindwin are mentioned in the Pagan inscriptions from the beginning of the 13th century AD.
Zomi or Mizo can be used interchangeably and exactly the same meaning which means Zo men or persons. The Zomi identity issues was officially submitted to the British and Indian Governments in the historical document called Mizo Memorandum by The Mizo Union which was founded in April 9, 1964. In fact, Lushai was officially replaced when Mizoram was granted Statehood on February 20, 1987.
Zomi in Washington State
Due to religious and racial persecutions by the military ruling regime, most of the Zomi are seeking refuge in America, Europe and Australia. Many Zomi are resettling in America in many other States and also in Washington State since 2008. Most are scattered in cities like Auburn, Burien, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, Spoken, Tacoma, and Tukwila. Many of these Zomi have come from refugee camps in India, Thailand and Malaysia.
