Vaiphei

The Vaiphei, which falls under Mongoloid stock, is one of the many Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar tribal groups living mainly in the North-East of India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The belief common among these groups that their ancestors emerged out of Khul/Khur/Sinlung/Chhinlung (cave) exists also among the Vaipheis. The origin of the name 'Vaiphei' is still debated but the general understanding is that it is a name used to denote the people who claimed to have descended from Vaiphei, the son of Za Hong/Nuai Mangpa. According to their traditional folk history, Song Za and Za Hong once lived together in the sub-terranian world. Their progenitor Za Hong decided to come to the above world. But, the door of the Khul (Cave) was closed by a great serpent. Zahong cut the serpent into three pieces with his sword, Vangalpa removed the stone enclosing the cave and thus Zahong, Khupngam and Vangalpa came out of the Khul. Many other people followed and came out after him. It was because he opened the door of the Khul for many, - that, he was called Za Hong (Za - Many, or hundred, Hong - open, open for many people). Za Hong led the people and finally settled down at Ciimnuai and ruled there as its chief. He beget Vai Phei and Vai Phei beget Hong Lian. Ciimnuai soon became overcrowded. Hong Lian then along with many other people left Ciimnuai and founded a settlement 'Khaw Vaiphei' named after his father 'Vaiphei' {According to some sources, this village was actually named Vomzaang and that they were called Paite i.e. the group name for the people who are non-pawis in the Chin hills}. After settleing there for many years, there seem to have arose a case of misunderstanding on the tails of sambur and flying squirrel between the Thados and the Vaipheis. The Thado family left and founded the village Phaileng and the Zou or Yo family also then left and founded the village Gam-ngai ( But, according to another source, the Zo under the leadership of Hang Hil and his brother Mi Lun are believed to have founded Balzang from Ciimnuai). A section of the Vaipheis too, left and lived near a salt-spring and thus they received an alias 'Sizang'. Thus, a section of the descendant of Vaiphei lived on and developed a distinct identity all their own and in which each member took immense pride. As time went by, they found many other settlements besides 'Khawvaiphei'. They lived in peace and prospered until the Pawis made war on them and scattered them. The Vaipheis have founded many settlements in the Chin Hills and Mizoram. According to some legends when the Thibom dynasty of Mandalay became powerful and began to subjugate smaller communities, the Vaipheis left their settlement site in fear. They fled to a place called Kalemyo and then to Saizang. Moving on from Saizang they came to Ciimnuai and then Khawsak where they were divided into Sizang and Vaiphei. According to a noted Zo historian, a section of the Vaipheis migrate to Mizoram and from there began to enter Manipur from its hilly south eastern regions around 1491 A.D. They occupied the present Manipur's Sadar Hills where they were classified as the old Kuki group because of their earlier arrival into India. Another section of the Vaipheis entered Manipur from the Chin Hills during the Chin Hills Expedition (1889-1891). From Manipur, many Vaipheis spread out further to the north and west and settled down in what is today Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Bangladesh.

At present, the Vaipheis numbered over one hundred thousand in population, outnumbering their brothers who remained in Sizang Valley. Basically, there is no difference between them. However, with the passage of time the dialect they used became totally different.

Place of settlements

The earliest known settlements of the Vaipheis include Khawvaiphei (I) ( believed to be founded by Hong Lian, the son of Vaiphei) , Zawngin Zein (founded by Phu Lum, the son of Hong Lian), Suantak/Tuantak (founded by Nge Ngu, son of Suan Tak), Changzal (founded by Khau Te, the son of Phu Lum), Phaiza/Khawvaiphei (II) (believed to be founded by Neih Lut), Kalzang (founded by Suan Kai, son of Suan Te) , Tualket (founded by Khau Za, progenitor of the Buite, Saivak, Chunthang etc), Thiklum ( founded by Khau Pho, progenitor of the Hoinge clan), Vawngzang (founded by Tin Vuk of Khaute family), Khawzim (founded by Khau Lun of Khaute family) , Vomhzaang/Khawsak (I) (founded by Nge Ngu, son of Suan Tak), Khawsak (II) (founded by That Lang of Ngengu family), Khawngen (I) (founded by Khuang Hau) ,Khawngen (II)(believed to be founded by Phung Lai of Suante family), Khawhiang, Zopi (founded by Ngul Vung of Khaute family), Salem, Bungte, Hiangpek (founded by Thil sutla of the Khaute family) , Tuallian, Lamkhai, Bungkhua , Bungte (founded by Khup Thang), Khawbual (founded by Tha Vuk of Khaute family), Tuitong, Tungzang, Suangkong, Thuklai, Buanman, Vangchik, , Sailuttak, Lophei (founded by Kim Lel of Ngengu's family), Thangkhal (believed to be founded by the Thang Niang clan of Lian Lum's family), Sialkal, Champhai (founded by Heilei Khaute), Mimbung (founded by Hau Za Lang Khaute) ,Kangkap, Segam ( founded by Lang Kho Lal), Suangpha (founded by Hau Za Ngul), etc.However due to the many tribal wars in the old days, many of these villages were either abandoned or destroyed by others. Today, the Vaipheis are mainly concentrated in the Churachandpur district, Senapati district and Chandel district of Manipur though more than half of their populations are founded to be scattered to different parts of North east India, Myanmar and Chittagong Hill tract of Bangladesh. In Manipur, they are said to have occupied more than three hundreds villages. A section of them who still are in Myanmar called themselves 'Sizang', a name after their place of settlement. They are mainly the descendants of Nge Ngu, Dai Tong and Vang Lok (Vanglua), who are considered as sons of Suan Tak. Today, the Sizang settled in 20 villages viz. Lophei, Suangdaw (founded by Khup Lian Suantak), Thuklai (founded by Suum Seal of the Thuklai clan), Pumva (founded by the Thuklai Vanglok clan), Dolluang (founded by the Thuklai clan), Buanman (founded by Tua Nuam, son of Thuklai, son of Vanglok), Voklaak ( founded by the Kimlai sub-clan of the Thuklai clan), Bekan (founded by Khan Ngin of Vanglok clan), Sualim Duhmang (founded by the Limkhai clan), Ngalzaang (founded by Pau Khai of Vanglok clan), Limkhai Zongal (founded by Pau Hang of Limkhai Vanglok clan), Limkhai Bungh (founded by the Limkhai Vanglok clan), Leidaw (founded by Son Ngul Limkhai), Suangpi (founded by Khan Teuh Limkhai of Vanglok clan), Khuasak (II), Theizaang (founded by the Ngengu clan), Hiangzing (founded by Thual Kam), Taingen (founded by the Ngengu clan), Khaikam (founded by the descendants of Khai Kam of Ngengu clan) and Siyin Ywa (founded by Thuam Kam, the son of Hang suangh of Tongseal clan).

The Vaiphei Puandum, Khiangkawi and Thansua puan are the three important traditional cloth of the Vaipheis.

ociety

The Vaiphei society is patriarchal and patronymic. The family is often a joint family. In olden days, although the father is the head of the family, both the husband and wife never mention each other's name as a sign of respect. The children also never mention their parents' name even after they grow up as a sign of respect. Parents are usually addressed by the name of their eldest child, suffixed with 'pa' (father) abd 'ma' (mother). The kinship structure is of classification type and one kinship term is used for different categories of relatives. The tribe is divided into a number of clans and sub clans. The clans are endogamous though inter clan marriage is not uncommon. Many Vaipheis are confused about the exact number of their clan. Each clan has its head called ‘Upa’. The eldest son inherits his father's property.

An individual born in the Vaiphei society was welcomed through a function called Naoyuneck(?) when the pregnant mother is about seven or eight months due. The birth ceremony of a child was held on the seventh day of the child by its father entertaining the villagers with a feast. Children whether male or female, get their earlobes pierced with a tough hair of Saku (porcupine) and black & red thread. Marriage is by engagement or negotiation. Traditionally the prescribed mate for a boy was the daughter of his maternal uncle called Neinu. Pre-marital sex is considered a disgraceful act and if the boy after 'polluting' the girl refuses to marry her, he is imposed a fine of one mithun and one pig. Death ceremony of a child under six months is not necessary. Otherwise the dead is buried with the head facing eastwards. Cooked spleen of cattle, considered to be the food of the deceased, is also buried along with the corpse.

Occupation

Their main occupation, agriculture, is practiced through both types of cultivation - shifting and wet cultivation. Among them, there exists a system of community and social obligations under the term and conditions of Tawmngaihna and Kihutuana which means the services rendered to others in times of need or in other words, solidarity of the village in every moments of joy, sorrow or calamity.

Administration

Every Vaiphei village has a legitimate traditional chief called Khaw Hausa, whose position is hereditary and the entire land belonged to him. He is assisted by a members of elders known as Siamang Upa(Ministers, nobles or elders). Pachawng is incharge of tax collections. Taangsampu is the village crier, informing the entire village in any matter. Thiik-Seekpu (Blacksmith), Tunpu (hunting commander) also command respect from the villagers. Every dispute is tried in the Innpi-Vaihawmna (village court) by the Chief and the nobles.

Religion

Before their conversion to Christianity, the traditional religion of the Vaipheis was a combination of ancestor worship and animism. Amorphous deities and spirits are responsible for benevolent and malevolent effects. The supreme deity is Pathian (God). They also believed in manna-like powers, which in their dialect is known as Bulung and possessor of it enables him to have a good harvest. They also have a family deity known as Dawibawm. From around 1907 A.D. under the Welsh Missionaries, the Vaipheis were converted to Christianity. (Lungpau and Thangkai were the first persons who were convrted to Christianity.) which eventually led them to ignore or neglect many traditional practices and customs incompatible with the Christian faith.

Festivals

The most important traditional festivals include Thazinglap chawn (a dead festival), Sa-ai (hunting), gallu-ai (head hunting), Oa ai (fishing), Bu-ai (harvest), Sawm zu (Boys' dormitory) and lawm zu (Friends' organization). Sometimes a rich person can make merry ‘feast of merit’ involving combined celebration of Sa-ai and Bu-ai lasting for at least a week.

The root of the people called Vaiphei

The descendants of Vaiphei are found to be almost everywhere in the Chin State of Burma, in the northeastern part of India and in the Chittagong hill tract of Bangladesh. Regarding their genealogy, they trace their descend from Zahong, the son of Sungmang (Songkip), the son of Songthu, the son of Nawsong, the son of Nawphut , the son of Kipmang, the son of ZO (the common ancestor of all the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar-Laimi-Laizo-Mara-KhulmiKhurmi-Komrem-Halam etc.). Orally, both the Vaipheis and the Thados are recorded as grandsons to Zahong. In this regard ,Thado historians wrote that the Vaipheis (including Baite, Hoinge, Ngoilu/ Ngailut, etc), Kom ( Karong, Saiche, Leivon, Tellen, Hmangte, Serto, etc.), Aimol (Changom, Laita or Mangte, Khoichung or Leivon, Lanu and Chaita) , Chothe/ Purum [ Marem/Marrim, Makhan/ Makan, Kiang/ Kheyang, Irung, Thao, Parpa etc.] , Chawhte ( Chamte, Chawndang, Chawnfieng, Chawnthik, Halte, Hawnsang/ Hawnzawng, Lienhna, Suonhoi, Tamva, Thaman etc) , Chiru (Danla, Dingthoi, Shangpa, Chongdur, Rezar etc.), Purum, Koireng ( Shongthu,Yeite etc.), Hangmi/Milhem , Koirao, Tuboi, etc are descended from Hangmeng, the younger brother of Shingmeng whom they regarded as their progenitor. Among the Vaipheis, there is a diverse opinion among its clan on seniority. The Vaipheis mainly divided themselves into three major groups viz.

i).Phulum family groups- Khaulun [ Khuanghau ( Tualtung, Tungnung, Tungdim, Tunglut ), Khuangdal , Vukmang { Ngulvung & Thavuk }, Mangtong and Jaktong ] , Senchong/ Sentong [ Chontung, Chonlut / Chonglut, Chonmang / Tonmang ( Nakal and Keusel )] , Chonlu ( Phaltual ), Chulzang, Ellu { Selut, Kemtong, Zamang and Pabawm } , Elphuak { Hatlei, Khantun, Hatlang( Thimman and Langel ), Hatzaw& Hatziam }, Ralte or Galte, Duhlian (including Nungate and Keivom ) , Neitham { Chonniang , Nunngam /Singphun, Ngoilu, Misau), Khawthang,Maubuk , Vaithang etc.}, Neihsial { Haulai, Lengen, Thagen, Nunthuk, Dawlbak, Singto etc.), Khaupho or Hoinge, Buite or Berhvate or Khauza {including Zomsing, Thuksuang, Faihriem or Phairiam {including Bapui, Saihmar, Khawlum, Tusing, Tuadal, Tualai/ Tuolai, etc.}, Chunthang [ Khawlhring { Midang, Khintung, Leidir, Lozum etc.), Vangsia/Vangchhia ( Dosil, Invang, Theidu, Tlukte, Vanghawi, Zapte , etc.}, Pautu { Buangzal, Singate, Sehlawn, Tluangate }, etc.]

ii).Lianlum family groups- Baite( Paute, Meihlai, Thangthem, Phungkhol, Kholsong etc), Boklua/Zahmuaka( Zadeng, Palian, Thangluah, Rivung , Rokhum, Chonglul, Sailo, Chenkual }, Neilut{ Thanglet, Khupmu, Suante{ Suanman, Suanzong, Luahlang, Manghil ,Doson etc.) , Leisel, Hansing, Lutngul, Puakpawl, Kapsel, Haungul, Thianglal etc,}, Hinnung, Nunzong, etc] , Dopmul, Thangniang { Khomang, Thangluai, Pamngai, Sipi, etc.), Sialiap{ Liapvung, Kapvung, Thangvung, etc), Sizang ( Batkai, Thatlang, Thatmun,Khansing, Mangson, Tuangthang, Suante, Hinnung, Nunzong, Haunam, Taukon, Haunung, Namzo, Hinnam, etc) , Thangkhal, Ngawn etc

iii).Lunglum family groups- This groups are actually not found within the Vaiphei tribe. However, according to them, the descendants of Lunglum includes the Chhakchuak clans viz. Hualngo and Hualhang, the Hualnam clans (including Hangman etc.). There are some who believed that the Lai tribal groups are descended from Lunglum.

According to one source, Zahmuaka, the direct progenitor of the Sailo, Zadeng, Palian, Thangluah, Thangur, Rivung, and Rokhum was descended from Pu Boklua Suantak who is also known as Sisinga or Sizanga. Boklua's father, Ngengu (Nenu) was the founder of Tuantak village in Sizang valley of Chin State. Ngengu is the eldest son of Suantak, who himself is descended from Vaiphei or Zahong. The Sizang regarded Suantak as the direct progenitor of the Sizang and Vaiphei.

According to a noted Zo historian, all the Vaipheis and the Sizangs should in fact be called Suantak as they are all descended from him.

However according to another source, the name "Duhlian" should be used to denote the Vaipheis [ Phulums {Khaute ( Ralte, Khala , Nungate, Keivom, Vangsa , Vanglua, Neitham, Neihsial etc.), Khaupho (Hoinge) and Khauza or Buite or Berhvate ( Phairiam or Faihriem, Chunthang (Khawlhring, Vangchhia, Pautu etc.) etc } and Lianlum {including Baite, Sailo, Suantak ( Thanglet, Leisel, Hansing, Puakpawl etc.), Suante, Suanzong, Thangniang, Siahliap, etc.} ] and also the Chawngthu, Chawhte/Chawthe (including Chamte, Chawndang, Chawnfieng, Halte, etc), Renthlei, Lawitlang ( Chawnsim, Hrangchal, Parate, Sungate, Suomte, Tlangte, Tlawmte, Varte etc. ), Leiri (including Neingaite, Pudaite, Puhnuongte, Pulamte, Puruolte, Tlandar etc.), Hnamte, Ngente, Kawilam, Seifa {or Lusei including the Chhakchuak (Hualngo and Hualhang) and Hualnam etc.) and Tlaute. However, this version is not reliable because with the exception of the Khala sub-clan of the Khaute clan of the Vaiphei tribe, no other tribe/clans mention above called themselves DuhlianDulian.

According to some historians from Mizoram, the Vaipheis, Faihriem, Khawlhring, Vangchhia, Pautu , Rawite etc. all belongs to a tribe called Mivam. In the Vaiphei dailect, 'Mi' means people and 'Vam' means white which signify purity. Thus, Mivam means white or pure people. However, there is no such mention of it among the historians of the Vaipheis.

The Sizang elders held that Zahong had three sons viz. Tong Hing/ To Hin, Sia Tak and Suan Tak. They believed Tong Hing and Sia Tak to be the progenitor of Guites, Doungels, Thados, Hangsings, Tong Luai (Chong Lois) etc. and from Suantak, Sizang and Vaiphei being descended.

However, contrary to the Sizang sources, the Doungel, the Guites, the Thadous etc. didn't regard themselves as descended from Zahong. Moreover, the Baites (Paute, Meihlai etc.), the Khautes (Tualtung, Tungnung, Vanglua, Neitham, Neihsial, Hoinge, Buite etc.) etc. while not denying their descend from Vaiphei or Zahong, regard themselves as a senior or an elder brother to Suantak and not descended from him. Also the Suanman, Manghil, Khupmu and Suante considered themselves as younger brothers of Suantak and not descended from him.

"'According to some of the Vaiphei older generations, both Vaiphei and Thado are descended from Zahong. And Vaiphei had one son Honglian, from whom are descended the three brothers- Phulum, Lianlum/Lianlut and Lunglum.

1. Phulum family.

According to the Khautes, their ancestor Phulum is said to have three sons viz. I). Khau Te/Khau Va II).Khau Phaw and III).Khau Za .The Khautes and their sub-clans viz. Vanglua, Neisial, Neitham, Dulian/ Duhlian, Galte/ Ralte, Hoinge, Buite, Pautu, etc. are known to have been great warriors. They are also known for their loquasiveness.

I)Khaute:- Khau Te along his brothers Khau Pho and Khau Za are said to have found "Changzal" and have ruled there as a chief for many years. Khaute is said to have beget two sons viz. (A)Nam Tin Som (progenitor of the Tualtung, Tungnung, Vanglua, Neitham etc.) and (B)Gui Sum (progenitor of the Ralte, Dulian /Duhlian, Keivom, Nungate, etc.).

(A)Nam Tin Som:- Nam Tin Som was the chief of Khawhing and Vangchik and he beget Hau Lawi. Hau Lawi beget Hing Van/ Hing Vang/ Hring Van and Neitham. Hingvang / Hingvan beget Khauva while Nei Tham beget Chon Niang/ Ton Niang, Nun Ngam (Sing Phun) and Hangmi.Chon Hring /Tonhing, Khaw Thang, Mau Buk, Thang Leh, Thang Nawk and Vai Thang are also descended from Chon Niang/ Ton Niang. It is believed that Hangmi beget Lu Pho, Lu Pheng, Ngoi Lu , Mi Sau and Lhang Hal.

Khaua beget i)Vangsa, ii)Vanglua and iii)Vangngem.

i)Vang Sa:- Vang Sa beget Khau Lun / Hau Lun (also known as Khautepa) and Khau Lun beget Go Khup and Tin Vuk. Go Khup is regarded as the progenitor of the Khuanghau ( Tualtung, Tungnung, Tungdim/ Lhungdim & Tunglut ) and Khuangdal clans while Tin Vuk is regarded as the progenitor of the Vukmang ( Ngulvung & Thavuk), Mangtong and Jaktong clans.Tin Vuk was said to have founded the Vawngzang settlement. He was also said to have held the chieftianship of Khawzim/Khuazim, the former Vaiphei capital in Myanmar. They settled mainly in Khawzim and surrounding area.
Khuanghau was said to have founded 'Khawngen'/Khuangen village and became its chief. He and his descendants are sometime referred to as Tualtung or Toltung or Tollhung. The Tungnung, Tungdim and Tunglut are descended from Zathang of the Khuanghau family. Due to some disagreement with his family, Za Thang was said to have left Khawngen and found refuge under a Manlun chief who married his daughter Sia Kim to him. After sometime, he had a son and named him Khawngen-Ngentungnung after his ancestral village Khawngen. He then had two other sons viz. Tungdim and Tunglut. Ngentungnung/ Tungnung was said to have four sons viz. Ngenthang, Nitson, Daizang and Kawngsau.
Vuk Mang beget Ngul Vung and Tha Vuk. Ngul Vung was said to have founded Zopi village from Khawzim and was known to have been the composer of many of the songs of the Thazing Lap festivals. He was said to have been a great chief.

Today, the name 'Khaute' is used to denote only the descendants of Khau Lun or Hau Lun though historically it is used to denote all the clans descended from Phulum. Today, either 'Vanglua' or 'Changzal' is used to denote all the clans descended from Phulum.

ii)Vang Lua/ Vang Luah:- According to one source, from Vanglua are descended Sen Tong/ Sen Chong, Chon Lu , Buan Chil and Pa el. Sen Tong/ Sen Chong beget Chon Tung/ Ton Tung, Chon Lut/ Chong Lut and Chon Mang/ Ton Mang. Chon Mang/ Ton Mang beget Na kal and Keu sel. Chon Lu/ Ton Lu beget Phaltual. Buan Chil beget Chil Zang sometimes also known as Chul Zang/ Tul Zang.Pa el beget Pa Kawl. Pa Kawl is said to have founded Changkut settlement and beget El Lu and El Phuak.
El Lu beget four sons viz. Se Lut, Kem Tong, Za Mang and Pa Bawm while El Phuak beget Hat Lei and Khan Tun from his first wife. His wife died and he later remarried and beget Hat Lang, Hat Zaw ,Hat Ziam and Ngo buang( a daughter). Hat Lang is said to have a son illegitimately and named him Lang El. Later he married and beget Thim Man. Lang El too grew up and married and beget Lusing and Hawsing. The Vanglua family live at Changkut for a long time till its destruction by their enemies. Then , a section of them left for Khawzim/Khuazim and other Vaiphei settlements while another section moved to Tedim, a village founded by a section of them along with other tribes under the leadership of the Guite Prince Guimang. Tedim by the time of Chief Mang Suum, the allied force of the Pois began their advance in the region that did not leave Tedim also. Since this sudden attack is not possible to resist over a night, Tedim was desserted by Mang Suum and his family. However some local villagers still survived under the leadership of Mang Gin from Hatlang family. Therefore, in 1840 [Cf., Tuan] , in order to secure peace, the remaining citizens planned to invite Khan Thuam of Mualbem, the then emerging Sukte family in the region, since they had a good military and political tie with Khuang Ceu the Zahau Mang (Chief) of the Pois.

Mang Gin Hatlang and Khoi Lam Hatzaw , both from Vanglua family , are two great men to have assisted the Sukte Chief Khan Thuam and his son Kam Hau who is said to have ruled by council like form of elders selected from other tribes. A Vaiphei song was composed in this regard says:

::Sinthu soi ding Tual Awn' pa,::Dokim tu lu Am Thang pa' aw.::Dokim tu lu Am Thang pa' aw,::Vannuai lutsial a tunna Za Tual' pa aw e.(Translation):::The Statesman Tual Awn's father,::Generalismo Am Thang's father.::Generalismo Am Thang's father,::The collector of any riches Za Tual's father.(Tual Awn's father refers to Khoi Lam Hatzaw, Am Thang's father refers to Mang Gin and Za Tual's father refers to Kam Hau)

iii)Vang Ngem:- Vang Ngem begets the Neih Sial clans viz. Haulai, Lengen, Thaning, Thagen, Nunthuk or Nungthut, Thutlai / Thuklai, Thutnel, Aikho, Engthang, Tualkhen, Singto, Dawlbak, Banlawng, Tunling, Thaling, Singlut or Singhil & Zawngbe.

(B)Gui Sum:- Khau Te beget Gui Sum, Gui Sum beget Mu Sia and Mu Sia begets (i)Chin Mang , (ii)Pau Lut and (iii)Kha La.

(i)Chin Mang/ Tin Mang:- Khau Te beget Gui Sum, Gui Sum beget Mu Sia, Musia beget Chin Mang and Chin Mang beget Galte/ Ralte. Ral Te is the progenitor of the Sia Keng (Kai Zong and Tong Tual) , Khel Te ( Hmai Mawk, Lut Mang, Sing Lu, Sier Chuang, That Sing, Van Keu, Vo Hang, Voh Lu, Zah Lei & Zau Cha), Kawl Ni/Col ney ( Tal Bawk), and Lelh Chhun clans. According to one version, Ralte is said to have a son named Hehua who is regarded as a father to both Sia Keng and Khel Te. Khel Te and Sia Keng were said to have quarrelled over the distribution of their father's goods/ possessions, which Khel Te, the younger, had taken. Khel Te is said to have set up separate villages, and from them have sprung up the the Ralte clan. The Khel Te have always occupied a predominant position, and all the chiefs belong to this family. Khel Te 's youngest son Lut Mang is said to have made the first cloth from the fibre of Khawpui creepers. He collected a community at Khuazim, a hill north of Champhai. From him, all the Ralte chiefs are being descended. The Khelte family is divided into ten branches while the Siakeng that of eleven branches. Though which village they inhabited in the earlier period, nothing is known except that they too, are descended from Khaute of the Vaiphei tribe. It is believed that Chin Mang got sons, other than Ral Te too. But, due to raid by their enemies, Ral Te was said to have been captured and all his family killed. He was brought up by his captors as a slave. He was named Ralte/Gal Te (meaning enemy).The earliest known settlement of the Ralte family was near the present Falam Township, in the Ngawnte area named Suaitang or Suainuai (though some believed that it to be a settlement named Kawlni ) . Today it is called 'Hmunpui'. After settleing there for many years, they came to be divided into many clans and sub-clans. Due to some misunderstanding, a section of them under the leadership of the Kawlni/ Colney moved to Khawzim and another section to Innbuk range. Khawzim/ Khuazim was a great Vaiphei city during those days. Due to it being founded by their Khaute brethrens, it seems there is still a close affinity between the Raltes and the Khautes. The Raltes are said to have settled in and around Khawzim / Khuazim for a long time under Chief Lua Thawng Khaute. The Raltes, like their other Khaute brethren, are known to have been great warriors and loquasive in nature. The Raltes of Khawzim are said to have raid the Chawhte settlements nearby and took away all their gongs. The Raltes claims that the Sial Lam gong, Sel Buang gong, Tuai Tong gong and Lian Dou gongs etc are already in their possession during those period. [Gongs in those days are considered as great wealths] . They also used to raid the Hmars settled around Tonsim, a village founded by them from Khawzim. Their chief during those period was Mang Thong, son of Mang Khai who is the chief of Tuisin (Tuicin). Mang Khai was said to have been a great chief. During their settlement in Tuisin (Tuicin), Lallul and Zadeng chief of the Zopui settlement raid and took away their precious gongs. They are believed to have entered into India in the early period of the 1750's though a section of them still settled in the Chin Hills. Dalkhai village of the Chin hills was their last known village. Sing Keu was their chief. As the village could n't attain to 20 houses, it was ban by Chin hills D.C. Lt.Col.Burne on January 10, 1909. Due to this, many of them came to lived under the Sailo chiefs. When the English occupied Mizoram in 1890, the Ralte are said to have still ruled over around 6 village.

(ii)Pau Lut:- Pau Lut's descendants are believed to have been extinct due to their wars with the Pawis.

(iii)Kha La:- Khala, the youngest brother of Chin Mang, beget Duhlian/ Du Lian. Nunga and Keivom clans are also descended from the Du Lian family of the Khaute clan. Dulian is said to have been a great man. He was said to have greatly influenced the Chhakchuak people to the extent that the new dailect form by the amalgamation of the Pawis and the Hmar dailects spoken by the Chhakchuak people came to be named after him. However, with the passage of time, the Chhakchuak came to realised their folly and changed the name of their dailect from 'Duhlian' to 'Lusei', after the name of their direct progenitor 'Lu Seia'. However, some historians are still of the opinion that the Lusei dailect is basically the purest form of the Vaiphei spoken/adopted by the Chhakchuak people which due to their intermingling and intermixture with other tribes took its present form. According to another source, in the older days a section of the Dulian clans like Keivom, Nungate etc. of the Vaiphei tribe are said to have lived with the Chhakchuak, etc. Due to this amalgation of Vaiphei dailect with that of the Hualngo dailect i.e. Pawi , a new form of dailect came into being. This dailect was named "Duhlian" as it was formed due to intermixture of the dailects used by the Duhlian/Dulian to the Pois dailect used by the Hualno /Chhakchuak people.

II)Khauphaw

The Hoinge clan who are only a section of the descendants of Khau Phaw (younger brother of Khau Te) are said to have been the only survivor from the Khauphaw family. Basically the Hoinge clans are divided into four sub-clans viz. Notlut, Chungsel, Lutthang & Songhil.Their ancestor Khauphaw is said to have moved away from 'Changzal' and found the settlement 'Thiklum'. On Pau, the eldest son of Khau Phaw, was said to have been a leader (might be a priest) in their religious affairs during their Thazinglap festivals. Chawi Hau, On Pau's eldest son, beget Not Lut. Not Lut is said to have married a daughter of the Lianthang clan. After a while, the Khauphaw family moved away from Thiklum and settled at Zimkawlbuk. They were said to have reared many pigs. These pigs often strayed away from Zimkawlbuk and were said to have ruined the fields or crops of other tribes in the neighbouring areas. Due to this, the tribes from the neighbouring areas followed these pigs into Zimkawlbuk and killed all the Khauphaws there except for one pregnant lady (ie Not Lut's wife) and two freaks(a boy Melmul and a girl Mekmuk). The lady soon gave birth to a son and named him Hoinge. With the passage of time, the boy came to realise from his mother that he is a Vaiphei. So, he send words to his father's distant cousin, Chief Hau Lawi Khaute of Vangchik to claim him. Chief Hau Lawi is said to have paid as a ransom a mithun to the tribe which took care of Hoi Nge and his mother. Thus, Hoi Nge and his mother came back to lived at Vangchik with his uncle's family. Hoi Nge grew up and married and beget Chung Sel, Lut Thang and Song Hil.

III)Khauza or Buite/ Berhvate

Khauza or the (Buite) was believed to have four sons viz. Zom Sing, Tua Lai, Se Kong, Tua Dal and Tui Mual. Zom Sing (Ro Chil) was said to have two sons viz. Bel Vak/Berh Va and Thuk Suang. Bel Va was said to have three sons viz. Saiva Te/ Saivak, Chun Thang and Ngen Dum/Ngun Dum. Saiva Te was said to have two sons viz. Ler Sia (Khal Zing) and Si Ngai. Chun thang was said to have 6 sons viz. 1)Faihriam, 2)Khualhring/ Kholhring, 3)Vang Chhia/ Vang chiah, 4)Mi Lai, 5)Nel Riam and 6)Thlau Te.

1)Faihriam/Faihriem was said to have included the following clans or sub-clans mention below:- a)Khawlhring/Khualhring , b)Vangsia/Vangchhia ,c)Bapui, d)Khawhrang, e)Khawkhiang, f)Khawlum, g)Khawral, h)Khawhrang, i)Khohreng, j)Saihmar, k)Saivak , l)Sakum ( Hauhmong, Hauniang & Kilong ) , m) Sote, n)Seiling, o)Seikong, p)Thangnung, ,q)Tualai/Tuolai, r)Tuadal, s)Tuimual, t)Tusing, u)Thlangnung,

2)Khualhring/ Kholhring is known to have four sons viz. Mi Dang, Thur Tim, Pial Tel and Hau Chem. Mi Dang 's son Lalmi Chhinga is said to have build up two cities viz. Khawhring/Khuahring/Khurhring and Vizan/ Vanzang. He is said to have been a great Chief. However, he was unable to withstand the attack of the combined forces of the Pois (Falam and Halkha) and the Burman people.
Hauchem is also known to have been a great man. He is said to have three sons viz. Sawngkhar, Tluangthang and Khawlhring Ngamtawn.The Kholhring/Khualhrings are said to have inhabited the hill ranges which is still sometime terms as 'Khawlhring tlang' which is founded in the Chin Hills.

3)Vang Chhiah/ Vangchhia is said to have 7 sons viz. Pau Tu, Do Sil/To Sil, In Vang, Thei Duh, Tluk Te, Vang Hoi and Zap Te. With the exception of the Pautu, all the others are said to have inhabit the adjoining hills next to 'Khawlhring tlang' which they called 'Vangchhia tlang'. Lian Dum Bel was one important chief of the Vangchhia clan.
Pau Tu is said to have 4 sons viz. Buang Zal, Singa Te, Se Lawn and Tluanga Te. They are said to inhabited the hill next to the 'Vangchhia tlang'. The hills they inhabited are too referred as 'Pautu tlang'.

Khawlhring is said to have included the following clans or sub-clans mention below:-a)Apeng, b)Buang, c)Khintung, d)Leidir, e)Lozum, f)Lungen/Lunsen, g)Lamsial, h)Midang, i)Milai, j)Nelriam, k)Palang, l)Pialtel, m)Parte, n)Rawlsim, o)Suakling, p)Thurtim, q)Chunthang, r)Vanzawng, s)Zawngte [Serchan & Tlangzawl] , t)Zahring, u)Thlaute or Thaute

2.Lianlum family

Lianlum is the progenitor of the Suantak and related groups. According to the Vaipheis, he was said to have two sons viz. Sai Tong and Thang Lun.
Sai Tong was said to have two sons viz.Suan Tak and another son whose name is unknown. From the unnamed son, the two brothers viz. Thang Niang and Siah Liap clans are believed to have been descended. The Thang Niang clan is further sub-divided into many sub-clans viz. Kho Mang, Thang Luai, Pam Ngai, Si Pi etc. The Siah Liap clan is also sub-divided into many sub-clans viz. Liap Vung, Kap Vung, Thang Vung, El Vung etc. Suan Tak was said to have been a great chief. He was also said to have been a great warrior and hunter. According to one source, he was said to have been the main progenitor of the Vaiphei and Sizang people. He was said to have ruled the great city 'Khawvaiphei'(I). Suan Tak was said to have two sons viz. I)Neih Lut and II)
Neyan/ Neih Han.

I)Neih Lut:- Neih Lut, the eldest son of Suan Tak was said to have founded a new settlement named "Phaiza". The name "Phaiza" was later changed into "Khawvaiphei" in honour of their progenitor, Vai Phei. This new Khawvaiphei is mainly peopled by the descendant of Vai Phei. However, the old Khawvaiphei where their ancestor Hong Lian used to dwell, different tribes are said to have lived together. This is supported by the hatla/ hanla or 'triumph' songs of the Vaiphei wherin there is a line that tell us that "all tribes dwell together in Khawvaiphei". Neih Lut beget Thangsoi, Hen Niak/ Nem Niang, Gen Zo/Ngen Zo and Neih Zo.

Thang soi:- According to one source, Thangsoi is the eldest male line of the Suan Tak. He is believed by many to be an illegitimate son of Suan Tak. He is said to have a son named Khua Kuan. Khua Kuan /Khokhon is regarded as the progenitor of the Bai Te. Bai Te begets 12 sons viz. Pau Te, Mei Hlai, Thang Them, Phung Khol, Khol Song, Khol Ngul, Khol Phut, Then Chuang, Thang Sei, Sing Ngul, Ngul Mun and Sen Hlung. Khol Song is said to have beget Chong Zang. Thang Sei beget Vang Thang. Sen Hlung beget Lang Tho. According to them, after Khawvaiphei, Pu Suantak set up another village by the name of Phaiza. From there, they established another village called Bongnoi, from which was formed another village called Nathel. Nathel was a grand and prosperous village and from there the Baites spread out to different places.

The Thanglet, Dalthang, Leisel, Hansing, Lutngul, Puakpawl, Thianglal etc. are believed to be descended from Henniak. The Hansings are believed to have inherited the Phaiza Khawvaiphei chieftianship. Thanglet is believed to be the eldest male line of the Neih Lut family though they even claim to be the eldest male line of the Suantak family. The Thanglets are said to have lived in Hiangpek which is a village founded and ruled by the Khaute clan.

Ngen Zo/Gen Zo, the third son of Neih Lut was said to have two sons viz. Khup Mu and Suan Te. Suante beget Suankai. Due to the early demise of Suan Te, Suan Kai was left an orphan. He was brought up by his maternal grandfather, Hang Sum Buansing, the village priest/Chief of Phaipi. Suan Kai grew up and soon found a new settlement "Kalzang" and became its chief. He beget five sons viz. Do Son, Suan zong, Luah Lang, Suan Man and Mang Hil. He was said to have possessed enormous wealth and was known as a great Chief. Relating to his wealth, Suan Kai is told to have claimed thus:::Gunli nuai zinmang langlam ciandal minthang,::Gual ii lam loh lam ing e, ci ngam lang e(Translation)::The famous musical plates of god's wealth in the river bed, ::Which I dare not say that I have acquired what others did not have.

Neih Zo, the fourth son of Neih Lut was said to have a son Muam Mul or Dohmul/Dopmul. Dop Mul/ Muam Mul was said to have a son, Mulpi. Then his wife died and he later remarried and have another four other sons viz. Hawl Hang, Kun Hen , Han Thual and Gui Zo. The sons of Neih Zo are found to be mainly within the Zou/Yo and Thangkhal tribes.

II) Neyan:- Neyan or Neih Han, the second son of Suan Tak was said to have three sons viz. i)Nge Ngu, ii)Dai Tawng and iii)Vang Lok.

i)Nge Ngu:-

Nge Ngu was also a great chief. He along with his brother Dai Tawng was said to have been the founder of the Suantak or Tuantak settlement named after his grandfather. Nge Ngu beget 1)Bok Lua/ Sih Singa/ Sih Zanga, 2) Lamhtam, 3)Phu and 4) Nantal.

1)Bok Lua:- Boklua/ Sih Singa, the first born of Nge Ngu begets (i)Galna/ Ralna and (ii)Nge Ngawn.

(i)Galna/ Ralna:- Gal Na begets Chhuah Loma. [Chhuah Loma was taken captive by the Seipuis during their one of their raid of a Vaiphei settlement on the bank of the Ngun river. Fortunately, Chhuah Loma captor took him in and raised him as his own son. Chhuahloma beget a son and named him 'Za Hmuaka' literally meaning 'hundred received' in remembrance of the people who received him when he was first brought into the village of his captors. Za Hmuaka grew up and was made a Chief by the Hnamte clan. Za Hmuaka beget 6 sons viz. Za Deng , Pa Lian, Thang Luah, Tha Ngur, Ri Vung and Ro Khum. Za Hmuaka and his sons are said to have ruled over Tlangkhua and Khuarua/ Khawrua area. Tha Ngur begets Chong Lura, Chong Lura begets Thang Manga, Thang Manga begets Sai Lo. Sai Lo begets Chung Nung, Lian Lung and Cheng Kual. Today, the Sailos and the Chengkuals form two separate clans though Cheng Kual was descended from Sai Lo.

(ii)Nge Ngawn:- According to the Ngawn source of Ciimnuai genealogical tree, the generations from Song Thu are handed down successively as Suan Tak, Sih Sing, Nge Ngawn, Sai Za, Zil-Om, to Len Thuan. Though they didn't mention names like Sung Mang, Za Hong, Vai Phei, Hong Lian, Lian Lum, Sai Tong, Nge Ngu etc. in their list of progenitor, they are believed to be descended from Nge Ngu branch due to their inclusion of names like Song Thu, Suan Tak and Sih Sing in their genealogical tree. It seems that due to their early separation, their priests must have forgotten to mention the names of Sung Mang, Za Hong , Vai Phei etc. The area inhabited by the Ngawns proper comprises Sialsih, Zawlnu, Keelkong, Sihti and Vazang. Len Thuan was an important Chief of the Ngawns who is said to have lead their early migration.

2)Lamh Tam:- Lamh Tam, a son of Nge Ngu, beget Bat Kai, Neih Zalh and Lim Tuang. Bat Kai beget Kim Lel and Seam Muang. Neih Zalh beget That Lang and That Mun. Lim Tuang begets Khan Sing, Mang Son and Tuang Thang. Neih Zalh is said to be a great chief. He is regarded by many as the father of Sizang proper. Neih Zalh and his sons are believed to be the founders of Khawsak/Khawsak. That Lang is said to have four sons viz. Tong Seal, Kun Tong, Khum Thang and Khup Thang. Tong Seal was a tax or Phiangsiah collector, a warlord, and a ruler surrounding the Sizang region of nine administered units under his control, northern Chin State, Burma. He had two sons named Hen Hang and Han Thang.Kim Lel and his relatives found a settlement or village and named it "Lophei" meaning "Sloping field" after his field there. Today, they are referred to as Lophei people.

ii)Dai Tawng:- Dai Tawng, the fifth son of Suan Tak is said to have four sons viz. Hin Nung ,Nun Zong, Nam Zo and Hau Nung. Hin Nung beget Hin Zong and Hin Zong beget Hau Nam, Hau Nam beget Hang Dawl, Hang Dawl begets Suan Lam, Beal Ngiak and Sawn Tun. They are mainly founded to be within the Siyin Thuantak tribe. Nun Zong beget Taukon.Nam Zo beget Muang Lai, Muang Thang, Muang Do and Hin Nam. Hin Nam beget Ngaih Zang, Ngaih Zang begets Kim Thang and Tawng Suak. Also Suk Zo and Za Suan too, are believed to be descended from Dai Tawng.

iii)Vang Lok:- According to Siyin and other Zo historians, Vang Lok is considered as a son of Suan Tak. Some believed that Vang Lok is actually a misspelt term used by the Siyin for 'Vang Lua', a sub-clan of the Khaute clan. There seems to be some truth in this. The Zamang sub-clan is found both within the Vanglua and Vanglok clans. Also, could the Thuklai sub-clan found within the Vanglok clan be actually the same as Thutlai sub-clan of the Vangngem/Neihsial, younger brother of Vang Lua. According to some historians, Vang Lok is believed to be descended from Hingvang, the progenitor of the Vang Sa, Vang Lua and Vang Ngem/ Neihsial clans. According to them, Vang Lok, In Vang, Vang Kal, Vang Sak and Vang Hoi clans are brothers with Vanglok being the eldest. And that they are descended from Hiang Vang. They are mainly found to be in the state of Tripura and Assam. Though a section of the Vanglok are founded in the Siyin areas.According to the Siyin, Vang Lok is said to have three sons viz. Thuk Lai, Hang Sawk and Lim Khai.
Thuk Lai is said to have five sons viz. Lun Mun, Sum Niang, Tua Nuam, Za Mang and Zang Kai.
Hang Sawk is said to have a son Ton Sung. Ton Sung beget Sawk Thang, Sawk Thang beget Dia Ching, Dia Ching beget Khan Sing. Khan Sing beget Thang Zel, Hau Kim and Khum Awm.
Lim Khai is said to have five sons viz. Sit Zom, Tun Awi, Tun Mang, Ngo Thua and Tun Seal. Ngo Thua beget Mang Vum and Lam Lai. Tun Seal beget Suang Man and Suang Zel.

3. Lunglum family

The Vaipheis regarded that from Lunglum are descended the Hualngo-Hualhang-Hualnam or Chhakchhuak tribes.

Some of the sub-clans of the Vaiphei or descendants of Zahong such as the Ngengu (Sailo, Thangluah, Baite, Ngawn etc.), Khaute/ Khauva [Ralte, Duhlian, Nungate, Keivom, Tungnung, Tunglut, Tungdim/Lhungdim, Hatzaw, Hatlang etc.] , Khaupho (Hoinge),Khauza ( Buite, Faihriam, Chunthang (Vangsia/ Vangchhia, Khawlhring, Pautu, etc.), Thuksuang, etc.) are found to be within the fold of other tribes. The Zo tribal groups are mainly divided into two groups on the basis of their usage of 'G' and 'R' in their dailects. It seems that that the Vaipheis could have been a connecting link or tribe between the G-using and R-using Zo tribal groups as more than a third of them seems to under the R-using groups using the vocabulary 'tl', 'tr', 'r' etc. It is also believed that many of the sub-clans or members of the Vaiphei people became extinct due to the many tribal wars and conflict prevalent during those days.

External links

* [http://mysticalseven.info/files/AN-INTRODUCTION-TO-THE-ZO-PEOPLE-OF-BANGLADESH,BURMA-AND-INDIA.pdf An Introduction to the ZO People of Bangladesh, Burma and India.]