TONGSHAAN

Economic & Ecological Survival Skills

Like their Chin-Kuki cousins, the Zous had taken to shifting cultivation (jhum) ever since the beginning of their recorded history in the 19th century. They traversed several hill tracts between North-East India and Upper Burma in search of suitable jhum land. They used iron tools (eg. iron axe, hoe and dao) to cultivate a variety of sturdy Asian rice through a rather primitive method – sometimes described as “slash and burn” technique. They procured their iron tools through barter trade from Manipur and Burma. In the absence of cash economy, mithun or gayal (bos frontalis) and rice grain served as the chief forms of wealth.

The jhum method was ecologically sustainable as long as population increase was minimal and cultivable land was plentiful. But even favourable population-land ratio did not guarantee against periodic famines called mautam. Such famines are associated with the flowering of bamboos whose seeds led to the multiplication of rats and other pests. In this sense, bamboo was both a curse and a blessing. In the traditional Zou economy, bamboo was a source of food (bamboo shoots), building material, household utensils, fencing and handicrafts. In fact, bamboo was the backbone and the backbreaker of their subsistence economy.

The Zou community in Manipur was exposed to independent India’s developmental state. Since the 1950s, they began to participate in the democratic process, especially electoral politics. Political pioneers like T.Gougin and M.Thangkhanlal emerged out of this new political climate in the early decades of postcolonial India. Such developments impacted on the outlook and livelihood of many Zous who enjoyed upward mobility in the social ladder. The expansion of the so-called Licence Raj partly helped the growth of an administrative town, Churachandpur, in southern Manipur. More enterprising Zous saw new opportunnites in this urban centre and set up their own “colonies” (eg. Zomi Colony, Zoveng, Kamdou Veng, Hiangzou, and New Zoveng) to settle in and around Churachandpur town. Better access to education enables these urban settlers to enter the Government service sector that grew fat in the 1970s and 80s. Within the Zou community, the Church (eg. Zou Synod and Lutheran MELC) and other NGOs are also significant employers of theological graduates.

In remote Zou villages, the dead habit of jhuming continues despite its abysmal productivity. According to the 2001 Census of India, around 60% of the Zou population were engaged in agricultural labour. Wet rice cultivation came into vogue around the time of India’s independence. Shifting cultivators typically dwell within interior ridgetop hamlets. But permanent plow peasants among the Zous prefer settlement sites near river banks like the Tuitha and the Tuivai. Availability of cultivable land for paddy is severely limited in Manipur hill areas. Increased food production through paddy fields supported a growing population in many Zou villages. Yet food production lags behind population increase. The challenge is to escape this “Malthusian trap” where population prevents prosperity. As an absolute figure the Zou population is not big, but its rapid rate of growth resulted in deforestation and desertification during the post-Independence era. It only intensify the rural crisis. Unlike the fertile Imphal valley, the “carrying capacity” of land in the hills is very limited. The social spill over effect of this ecological degradation was demonstrated by the ethnic conflict of 1997-98. The conflict reduced many educated and semi-skilled Zous into economic migrants to other parts of booming urban India. Today socially mobile pockets of Zou communities live across big and small Indian cities like Imphal, Aizawl, Shillong, Guwahati, Calcutta, Delhi and Bangalore. The Indian army and paramilitary services also employ a good number of Zous generally with low level of skills set. But the new economy could not absorb unskilled and illiterate Zou villagers.

The benefits of India’s economic reform are yet to reach rural Manipur. At present, militants pose a challenging law and order problem. But the spread of modern technologies like satellite TV and mobile phones to the villages gradually expose them to changes in other parts of India since the economic reforms of 1991. Such exposure might not alter their immediate circumstances, but it provides new aspirational values needed to create an “enabling environment” in a democratic setup. Therefore, there are good reasons for guarded optimism about the future of Zou people in modern India.

Journals in Zou language

# Zopatong – A monthly news magazine published at Zomi Colony, Churachandpur, Manipur (India)
# Khristian Tangkou – A Christian journal published by the Zou Presbyterian Synod, Churachandpur, Manipur.
# Gospel Tangkou – A Christian journal published by the Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church
# Khantanhoi Tangkou – A Christian journal published by the Thangkhal Baptish Church
# Zokuomthawn – A monthly news bulletin and online news journal of the Zou Sangnaupang Pawlpi, Delhi Branch
# Zoheisa – A monthly news bulletin and journal published by the Zou Sangnaupang Pawlpi, Shillong Branch.
# Pu Zo – a monthly news letter in Zou from Myanmar.

Zou settlements in India and Myanmar

IN INDIA NORTH EAST

01. Tuitha river area:

1. Muollum, 2. T. Khajang, 3. Buhsau, 4. Belpuon, 5. Sunchinvum, 6. Teikot, 7. Suongkuong, 8. Zoukhonuom, 9. Hiangtam(K), 10. Belbing, 11. S. Geltui, 12. S. Munhoi, 13. Panglien, 14. M. Tanglien, 15. Hiengdung, 16. Lunmuol, 17. Kullien, 18. Phaibem, 19. Zomun, 20. Khienglam, 21. Bohlui, 22. Daijang, 23. Tuibul, 24. Tuaitengphai, 25. Benazou, 26. Buongmun, 27. Suongnal, 18. Zahong, 29. Sielnah, 30. Khuongmun.

02. Tuivai area:-

1. Singngat, 2. Tangpizawl, 3. Sehngalzang, 4. Likhai, 5. Buolkot, 6. Hiangtam(V), 7. Zangnuom, 8. L. Kanan, 9. Behiang(V), 10. Behiang(H), 11. Suongphu, 12. Lunzang, 13. Tonzang, 14. Sielsi

03. Tuivel pang kuol a teengte:-

1. Mawngken, 2. Maukot, 3. Tuimangzang, 4. Muolzin

04. Tuila pang kuol a teengte:-

1. Hiengmuol 2. Munpi, 3. Zabellei, 4. Allusingtam, 5. Sabuol, 6. T. Hangnuom

05. Mawngkai pang kuol kimvel a teeng te:-

1. Aina, 2. Leitan, 3. Lungshai

06. Tuipi pang kimvel a teeng te:-

1. Milongmun, 2. Saite

07. Tuining dung kimvel a teeng te:-

1. Tuinuphai, 2. N. Khuovung, 3. Tuining, 4. Zomi Zion, 5. T. Vajang 6. Khaimunnuom, 7. Sangaikot, 8. Kuvan, 9. Saiboh, 10. Zobethel, 11. Gangpimuol, 12. Khuongkhaizang

08. Gunpang kuol kimvel a teeng te:-

1. M. Khaukuol 2. Khuoinuoi 3. Telsalzang 4. Singheu 5. Phaisan 6. Khuongkhai 7. Old Kha kuol 8. Sugnu Zoveng 9. Singtom

09. Kana luipang kimvel a teng te:-

1. Gelngai 2. Salem 3. Paldai 4. Sachih 5. Khuolien 6. Muolnuom 7. Kathuong 8. Phuoikon 9. Zangdung

10. Lamka khuopi sung a ZO tate tenna veng te:-
1. Lamka Zoveng 2. Zomi Colony 3. Manniang khuo 4. Hiangzou 5. New Zoveng 6. P. Kamdou veng 7. Tuibuong 8. Zomunnuom 9. Biulalane, 10. Simveng

Tuoleh adang dang:-

*Imphal (Phaipi) * Shillong Happy Valley *Dimapur *Guhawati *New Delhi.

BURMA OR MYANMAR

01.Tamu myo kuol sung a teeng te:-

1. Tamu Zoveng 2. Tamu Namasongh 3. Tungkyaw 4. Phailien, 5. Yuotha 6. Lalliem 7. Kanan 8. Khampat no1. 9. Khampat no3. 10. Nang ka theih 11. Buongkung (Nankhaukhau) 12. Tuikhal (Chawdawzyichen)

02. Kaleymyo kuol sung a teeng te:-

1. Kaleymyo (Penglong Kuat-tit Veng) 2. Kaleymyo (Tantada veng) 3. Tazyi 4. KanOo 5. 55-mile 6. Muntha (Showphyuzyichen) 7. Kuonglien (Phayazyichen).

03.Tonzang zo khuopi kuol sung a teengte:-

1. Tonzang 2. Phaitu 3. Lungtah 4. Khamzang 5. Sehshi 6. Thauthe 7. Phaidim 8. Maulawn 9. Likhan 10. Madam 11. Ponpi 12. Khiangkan 13. Sekang 14. Buolkuong 15. Vanglai 16. Khuoivum 17. Chikha myo 18. Aisi 19. Phaisat 20. Bizang 21. Haipi 22. Gampum 23. Buongmuol 24. Sielmei 25. Nahzang 26. Denlhakot 27. Thuombul 28. Senam 29. Langphun 30. Talzang 31. Anlun (Phultuon) 32. Gelmuol 33. Khienglam 34. Sielthaw 35. Singtum 36. Tuigiel 37. Zopem 38. Tanzang 39. Sielthawzang 40. Lamthang 41. Tahla 42. Phailien.04.

04. Tedim myo sung a teengte:-

1. Teddim 2. Salzang 3. Tahzang 4. Lomzang 5. Gelzang 6. Gamngai 7. Tuolmu 8. Mawngken 9. Bumzang 10. Khuodai 11. Kakgen 12. Zozang 13. Gielchien 14. Muizang 15. Thangdawn

05.Tuoleh a dang dang teeng:-
1*Kalewa 2*Maymyo 3*Mandalay 4*Tachileik 5*Lyawkaw 6*Yangon(Rangoon).

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References

Alphabetical List of India’s Scheduled Tribes
Official List of First Languages approved by Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM)
Sangermano, Father (1833) A Description of the Burmese Empire: Compiled chiefly from Burmese Documents, (Translated by William Tandy and reprinted by Susil Gupta, London, 1966.
Tedim Thu Kizakna Lai (Tedim Journal), July 1937, p.4.
Fowler, E.O. (1924) Letter to Howchinkhup, General Department, No. 3432 7M-11, office of the Commissioner, North West Border Division, 25 march 1924, in Acts and Achievements of Hau Chin Khup, KMS, Chief of the Kamhau clan, Chin Hills, Tiddim (Ratnadipan Pitika Press, Mandalay, 1927) p. 17.
National Archives of India (NAI) New Delhi (hereafter NAI), Foreign Department, Extl. A, October 1893, Nos. 33 – 34, dated Camp Falam, 28 September 1892
National Archives of India (NAI) New Delhi, Foreign Dept. Sept 1893, Nos. 80 –88
Khai, Sing Khaw (1995) Zo People and their Culture; A historical, cultural study and critical analysis of Zo and its ethnic tribes (Published by Khampu Hatzaw, Churachandpur, Manipur.
Carey, Bertram S. and Tuck, H.N. (1896) The Chin Hills: A History of the people, our dealings with them, their customs and manners, and a Gazetteer of their country (Reprinted by Delhi, Cultural Publishing House, 1983)
Braghin, Cecilia (1998) “The Archaeological Investigation into Ancient Chinese Beads”
Braghin, Cecilia (1998) “An Archaeological Investigation into Ancient Chinese Beads” pp. 273-293, Lidia D. Sciama & Joanne B. Eicher, (eds.) Beads and Bead Makers, Oxford & New York: Berg.
Hsu Cho-yun & Linduff, K.M. (1988) Western Zhou Civilization, New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
“Yao people of Yunnan (China)”.; also Yao – Chinese Ethnic Groups (1998)
Aung-Thwin, Michael (1996) “The Myth of the ‘Three Shan brothers’ and the Ava period in Burmese history”, Journal of Asian Studies, Vol.55, No.4, pp.881-901.
Zou, David Vumlallian (2005). “Raiding the dread past: Representations of headhunting and human sacrifice in north-east India”, Contributions to Indian Sociology (n.s.) Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 75-105 [This article refers to Kuki Uprising & Zou folk song, See pp. 88-89].
MELC Archives, Zomi Colony (Churachandpur), JCA Minute Book (20 February 1954 – 24 January 1958)
Go, Khup Za (1996) A Critical Historical Study of Bible Translations among the Zo people in Northeast India, Churachandpur: Chin Baptist Literature Board
Lalnunmawi, E (1996) Impact of Christianity on the Zou women (Unpublised Dissertation) Banglalore: South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS)
Downs, Frederick S. (1996) The Christian Impact on the Status of Women in North East Inda, Shillong: NEHU Publications
Ralte, Lalrinawmi (2004) Bible Women-te Nghilhlohnan (In Memory of Bible Women), Bangalore: Shalom Publications

External links

http://zolengthe.net
http://www.zokuomthawn.com
http://mautaam.blogspot.com Mautaam Campaign
http://www.pu-zo.com Pu-Zo.com
http://www.tongshaan.bravehost.com Memorial Site
http://gougin.blogspot.com Pu T. Gougin
http://my.opera.com Zoulun blog Tungnung Saunuom
http://zodawn.blogspot.com Chikim SMS News
http://zokhuo.blogspot.com Lamka Zokhopi
http://tongshaan.blogspot.com Tongshaan
http://daijang.blogspot.com Daijang
http://tangkou.blogspot.com Tangkous
http://zoupatong.blogspot.com Zopatong
http://zosongs.blogspot.com Motion Albums
http://zoattire.blogspot.com Zo Attires
http://behiang.blogspot.com Behiang
http://singngat.blogspot.com Singngat
http://zolengthe.zoomshare.com Zolengthe
http://tuaitengphai.blogspot.com Tuaitengphai
http://kathaitong.blogspot.com T. Gouzadou
http://zlmarticles.blogspot.com ZLM Old Articles
http://zodawn.multiply.com Zodawnism
http://zougam.blogspot.com Zougam Vision 2025
http://web.mac.com dongza3 Welcome Home.html T. Dongzathawng
http://hiangzou.blogspot.com Hiangzou
http://elizabethkcm.blogspot.com Elizabeth
http://kappy4you.blogspot.com K Suantah
http://zouthaicomputer.blogspot.com ZouthaiComputer
http://khaiminthang.blogspot.com Khaiminthang
http://zoculsin.blogspot.com ZOCULSIN
http://stephenlianhaumung.multiply.com Stephen Lianhaumung
http://paulzo.blogster.com Inner Thoughts
http://mangkangzo.blogspot.com Philip Mangkang
http://thangzouarchive.blogspot.com Zou Archive
http://zabelleivangkhua.blogspot.com Jabellei
http://www.zhouheisa.blogspot.com Zhouheisa
http://mangmangindia.blogspot.com Joshep Nangpi
http://www.zocia.co.nr ZOCIA Int’l
http://www.vaphual.blogspot.com Vaphual
http://vaphuol.blogspot.com T. Thangminlien
http://biakzou.blogspot.com Zouris Online
http://shangsamte.blogspot.com Melted Hearts
http://www.pedozo.blogspot.com PDO Manipur
http://www.zoforumnet.blogspot.com Zo Forum
http://khaiminthangzoufolklores.blogspot.com Zou Folklores
http://zokuomthawn.googlepages.com home ZKT Archives
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk zoulun77 Image Gallery
http://s187.photobucket.com albums x141 zoulun77 Images Box
http://picasaweb.google.com zcfdalbum ZCFD Album
http://www.zocia.co.nr Zocia
http://teisaljang.blogspot.com Teisaljang
http://thangkhalwave.blogspot.com Thangkhal Wave
http://aiminzo.blogspot.com Aimin Zo
http://smsgupshup.com Zolengthe SMS

For more, see http://en.wikipedia.org wiki/Zou_people_(India)