Mara people

Mara
(Miram, Shendu, Lakher,baungshel

Total population
100,000
Regions with significant populations
Mizoram, India 55,000 Chin State, Townships - Matupi, Paletwa, Thantlang, Burma 33,000 Rakhine, Burma 9,000
Languages
Mara, Mizo, English, others
Religion
Christian (predominantly Evangelical)
Related ethnic groups
Mizo · Chin

The Mara people are a recognised scheduled tribe in India, native to northeastern India, primarily in the Mara Autonomous District Council of the state of Mizoram, where they form the majority of the population. Significant numbers of Maras are also found living south-eastern part of Burma, in Chin State and Rakhine State which border the district. They were earlier known as the Lakher by outsiders as Lusei called them by that name, and the new name Mara was inserted in List of Scheduled Tribes in Mizoram state in 1978 replacing the old name. The Maras were in early period known to the outside world under different tribal names such as Mara, Lakher, Shendu,baungshelor Shendoo, Maring, Zyu or Zao/Zho, Tlosai, Khongzai,etc. They constitute a distinct tribal group lying in Saiha district of Mizoram. Some writers and historian included them as one of the Mizo tribes/clans. They called themselves "Maras"^[1]

Demography

Sub-Clans

The Mara clan is divided into 17 sub-clans, they are-

1. Chapi
2. Dova
3. Ngiaphia
4. Hawthai
5. Heima
6. Iabao
7. Khapi
8. Leita
9. Lialai
10. Lochei
11. Motu
12. Ratu
13. Razao
14. Saby
15. Tha-y
16. Tlosai
17. Vyty
18. Zyhno

These are all the list of Mara sub-clans, NOT ONLY India's Mara.

Language

The Mara language is a Kukish language of the Tibeto-Burman family. It is spoken by Mara people who live in a contagious area in Mizoram state, India and Chin state, Myanmar. Mara is also closely related to other Mizo and Chin languages widely spoken in the area.

Government

Mara people in India are have an autonomous body i.e Mara Autonomous District Council, the local governing body for the region, it is centred at Siaha, main town of the Saiha District of Mizoram. The Maraland Democratic Front, the Mizo National Front and the Indian National Congress are the most active political parties on the council.

In Burma, Mara people do not have any self-government body. Though their land is purely inhabited by them, they are governed by three townships - Thlantlang township for people in the North, Matupi township for people in central part and Rakhine township for people in the southern part.

Religion

All ethnic Mara people are claim to be 100% Christian, mostly Evangelical. With the arrival of Rev. & Mrs. Reginald Arthur Lorrain in 1907 who had had earlier founded Lakher Pioneer Mission in London in the year 1905, within a decade Mara people have all accepted Christianity. Although the missionaries were of baptist origins, the newly-found Church in Maraland was not affiliated with any outside Church or denominations, and was called Independent Church of Maraland. The current Evangelical Church has two branches, one in Maraland, India and the other in Burma; these branches were separated after the Partition of India.

Evangelical Church of Maraland (India), Congregational Church of India (Maraland)), and Mara Evangelical Church (Burma)) are the three dominant Churches, a direct fruit of the pioneer missionaries who are buried at Saikao town in Saiha district of Mizoram. Presbyterian, Baptist and Pentecostal also have a significant presence among the Mara people.

References

1. ^ Dr K. Zohra, Ph.D, An introductory notes to Mara District of South Mizoram, India.

External links

• Maraland.NET Information on Mara people
• Samaw.com : Mara English portal
• Chakhei.com : The first town portal in Maraland
• maratechnology.com/marahistory.htm: Mara History
• Maraland.NET : An article about how Lakher was changed to Mara
• Mara people at Mara Christian Network(MCN)