- Tonzang
Tonzang is an Indo-Myanmar village within
Churachandpur district ofManipur , India. Along withHiangtam , it is one of the oldestZou settlement inManipur ."Sim" & "Mal" Tonzang
Tonzang echoes the name of an older Burmese settlement of the
Zou community by the same name (Sim Tonzang) which still exists date. To distinguish it from its older Burmese counterpart, the Indian Tonzang is sometimes called "Mal Tonzang", literally meaning "Northern Tonzang". The Zous are found on both sides of the Indian and Burmese borders. Further, Zangnuam and L.Kanaan villages were spin-offs of Tongzang village.The Chivu Salt Springs
The historical site of Chivu salt springs (Chivu Tampaak)was located south of Tongzang village. Located on the right bank of the Tuivai river, the Chivu springs had been associated with a number of local legends and myths. Before the advent of cheap manufactured salt in the area, the local population used to get their supply of salt from the Chivu springs.
Ruins of
World War II Located on the right bank of the Tuivai river, Tonzang has some remains of bridges built during World War II over the Tuivai. The Lei Saang, literally "high bridge" was destroyed by the
Allied Forces to check the advancing Japanesetroops . But the foundations of the another World War II ruined structure still supports asuspension bridge that connects Tongzang andBehiang villages.Khodai dialect of Tonzang
The inhabitants of Tonzang traditionally speak a distinctive
Zou dialect called Khodai. It has a few peculiar words and phrases not found in the vocabulary repertoire of other Zou speakers. But internal migrations and outside influence is fast diluting those subtle dialect differences among the younger generations.Community Life
The local population is Christian, and belong mainly to two denominations - Presbyterian Church and Lutheran Church. The Presbyterians used to have a touring Choir Group in the 1980s till they split up. Otherwise, this relatively conservative
Zou village has a poor record in terms ofHuman Development .
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