Hmar people

Ethnic group in Northeast India From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hmar people are a scheduled tribe ethnic group[2][3] from the states of Manipur,[4][5] Mizoram,[6] Assam,[7] and Meghalaya[8] in Northeast India. They use the Hmar language as their primary language. In 2023, the Hmar Inpui, an apex body of the tribe 'reaffirmed' the identity of the Hmar people as Mizo.

Quick facts Regions with significant populations, Languages ...
Hmar
Lalremsiami Hmarzote, a Hmar field hockey player
Regions with significant populations
India[1]
Languages
Hmar language
Religion
Majority: Christianity Minority: Animism
Related ethnic groups
Mizo people
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Population

According to the 2011 Indian Census, there were 98,988 Hmar speakers (as first language).[9] The Hmar population itself (including Hmar people who speak Mizo language as their first language) roughly stands at 200,000–300,000.[10] Several critics and scholars point out that a significant population of the Hmar people are fully 'Mizonised' in Mizoram, hence do not reflect as "Hmar tribe" population, rather as "Any Mizo tribes" in census reports.

Language

Hmar people use the Hmar language, which closely resembles the Mizo language and uses the Roman script.[11] The script was introduced by British missionaries, including 'Pu Buanga' (James Herbert Lorrain), during the colonial era in India and is locally known as the 'A Aw B.'[12] Hmar language is within the Tibeto-Burman stock of languages.[13]

Religion

The majority of the Hmar people practice Christianity.[14][15] They were Christianized by Welsh missionaries in the 1910s (specifically at Senvawn village). Animism was dominated among them.[15]

Place of origin

The Hmar people believe Sinlung to be their ancestral origin.[16]

Notable people

More information Name, Notes ...
Politicians
Name Notes
HT Sangliana Indian policeman and former Lok Sabha MP. A South Indian movie, Sangliyana, was made in honor of him.
Robert Romawia Royte MLA from Mizoram and owner of Aizawl FC.
Ngurdinglien Sanate Former Minister from Manipur.
Lalnghinglova Hmar Current Minister of State (Sports) and MLA from Mizoram.
Ngursanglur Sanate Current MLA from Manipur.
Lalhmingthanga Hrangchal Former Deputy Chief Minister of Mizoram, Chief of Mizoram People's Conference.
Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl Politician from Tripura.
Pachhunga First President of the Mizo Union.
Chaltonlien Amo Former Minister from Manipur.[17][18]
Lalmuanpuia Punte Current Political Advisor[19][20] to Lalduhoma and MLA, Mizoram.
K. Sapdanga Current Home Minister, Mizoram.
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More information Name, Contribution(s) ...
Sportspersons
Name Contribution(s)
Lalremsiami India women's national field hockey team player
Marina Lalramnghaki Hmar India women's national field hockey team player
David Lalhlansanga India national football team member
Alfred Lalroutsang youngest ever player to play in the Indian Super League at the age of 16 years.
Lalrinliana Hnamte Indian professional footballer.
Lalvarmoi Hmar Indian professional footballer.
Lalram Luaha Indian professional footballer
Hmar Zothanchhunga Indian professional cricketer.
Nazareth Lalthazuala Hmar Indian professional mixed martial artist.
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More information Name, Notes ...
Academics & Authors
Name Notes
Rochunga Pudaite Included the Hmar people, Anāl people, and many others as one of the Schedule Tribes of India, 1956, and the founder of Bibles for the World.[21]
Lal Dena Manipur historian.
Lalthlamuong Keivom Former Indian diplomat and writer of Zoram Khawvel series.
Zirsangzela Hnamte Author.
Lallukhum Fimate Former Director, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences[22] and Zoram Medical College.[23]
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More information Name, Notes ...
Singers, Composers & Musicians
Name Notes
Mami Varte Singer
Esther Hnamte Singer
Lalruotmawi Singer
Buonglienkung Composer
Thangngur Composer
Lienrum Composer
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Clans (Pahnam)

Darngawn
Ruolngul Faiheng Tlau Fatlei
Banzang Sinate Famhawite (Famhoite) Chonghmunte
Lamchangte Sanate
Faihriem
Saivate Khawral Khawkheng Tuollai
Tuimuol Bapui Tusing Khawlum
Sekong Seling Thlangnung Salhmar
Dulien Aimuol Khawhrang Sote
Thanghnieng
Ngurtedescendants of Santleichal
Sanate Saingur Zallien Bungran
Chiluon Singa Tuolthla Para Thla
Pusingathla Saidangthla
Hrangkhol
Ponatu Phuoitong Dumker Cholkha
Khuolhring (Khawlhring)
Lungen Thlaute Midang Leidir
Suokling Chunthang Lozun Pieltel
Milai Rawlsim Khintung Zahrin
Khawbungdescendants of Tingkul
Fenate (Fente) Pangamte Pazamte Riengsete
Laising Muolphei Phunte (Punte) Bunglung
Sierthlang Siersak
Lawitlang
Hrangchal Laiasung Sielasung Darasung
Tungte Sungte Suomte Tlawmte
Chawnsim
Rawite
Pieltu Sawrte Buite Arro
Zate Aite Hnungte Seldo
Zote[24] (Joute)descendants of Vanso
Pusiete Chuonkhup Singphun Hriler
Chawnghau Chawngvawr Buonsuong Chawngtuol
Barkhawlai Tlangte Parate Saihmang (Saiate, Sailung, Saite)
Ngaiate Chawnhnieng Darte Darkhawlai
Vaithang Thangsuok Maubuk Hrangngam
Hrangdo Hrangate Chawngsieksim Ngaite (Hauler, Tlurha, Saichawnkhup, Sailientuol)
Hmangte Chante (Chamte) Hrangsote Parate (Bualthang, Khawtial, Rualngai, Zani)
Leiri
Neingaite Puruolte Pudaite Pulamte
Puhnuongte Thlandar
Changsan
Zilchung Zilhmang Ngulthuom Ngaithuom
Hrawte Hranhnieng Chaileng Thangngen
Kellu Armei
Ṭhiek[25]
Athu Amaw (Amo) Tuolor Thilsong
Buhril Hekte Ralsun Chawnghekte
Thluchung (TC) Kungate Selate Tuolte
Ṭaite Hnamte Kangbur Khawzawl
Lalum Laldau Saibung Vankal
Pangote Pangulte Khawbuol Pakhumate
Khumthur Khumsen Thlihran Tamte
Hmante Chawnnel Zate
Lungṭau
Mihriemate Songate Infimate (Fimate) Nungate
Intoate Lungchuong Inbuon Pasulate
Keivawm (Keivom) Tamhrang Sielhnam Theisiekate
Thlawngate Khumsen Khumthur Sunate

Ethnic Cultural Items

More information Name, Original Designer ...
Traditional Shawls
Name Original Designer
Hmarpuon Fimneizo
Thangsuopuon
Ngoteker
Puonlaisen
Hmaram
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Legacy

The Hmar people are credited to be the first settlers of Champhai, Mizoram until they left the place and the Ralte people came in to later occupy it.[26] Old stone structures, such as the Sikpui Lung (a monolith associated with a particular festival of the Hmar people) can still be found to this day. The inscription on the monolith reads:

HE LUNG HI HMANLAI HMAR HO SIKPUI A NI TIN KEINI KUM 28.12.1918 A HIAN KAN AWM TA. ZAHULA SAILO

Rough Translation:

This is the stone erected by the Hmars in the past to commemorate Sikpui, and we have now occupied this place from 28.2.1918, Zahula Sailo

The Sikpui Hlapui is associated with the Hmar people. This folk song is used by the Bnei Menashe people of Northeast India to claim an alleged connection to the state of Israel.[27][28]

Literature

Books

H. L. Sela

  • (1928). Bu Hmasa.

Thanglung

  • (1946). Thuthlung Thar.
  • (1950). Thanglung's Dictionary.

H. Thanglora

  • (1958). Pherzawl Reader.

Hranglien Songate

  • (1956). Hmar History-Hmar Chanchin. Imphal: Mao Press.
  • (1967). Hmar Chanchin (Hmar History).Churachandpur: L & R Press.

H.B. Hrangchhuana

  • (1984). Hmar Chanchin (Hmar History). HSA Aizawl Jt HQs.

C C Rema

  • (1960). Nghaisan Bo Kohran.

Vanlal Tluonga Bapui

  • (1996). Hmar Grammar. Mysore: Central Institute of Indian Languages. CIIL Press, Mysore.
  • (2011). Oral Traditions of the Hmars. Assam Institute of Research For Tribals and Scheduled Castes: Guwahati, Assam, India.
  • (2012). Hmar Ṭawng Inchukna (A Lexical Study of the Hmar Language & Usages). Guwahati, Assam: The Assam Institute of Research for Tribals and Scheduled Castes. Hi-Tech Printing & Binding Industries, Guwahati

Lal Dena

  • (1995). Hmar Folk Tales. New Delhi: Scholar Publishing House. Bengal Printing Press, New Delhi.
  • (2008). In Search of Identity: Hmars of North-East India; New Delhi 2008.
  • (2011). Dialogue on Tipaimukh Dam.Akansha Publishing House (edited).
  • (2025). The Hmar Culture Relics: Historical Monuments in Pherzawl District. Hmar Art and Culture Society.

Lalthlamuong Keivom (L Keivom)

  • (1960). Thalai Hlabu.
  • (1963). Thralai Hlabu.
  • (1974). The Gitanjali (translated).
  • (1980). Hmar Hla Suina.
  • (1991 onwards). Zoram Khawvel 1–8.
  • (2000). Zangkhaw Bungbu.
  • (2001). Nun Ram, Ka Nun.
  • (2007). Baibul (Hmar)-Holy Bible, Delhi Version.
  • (2011). Thukhawchang (Vol 1). Zolife Publication: Aizawl, Mizoram.
  • (2017). Hmar Hla Suina. James Keivom.
  • (2018). Translation: thu le hla inlet. Sinlung Academy of Letters.
  • Thuthlung Ram
  • Pherzawl Titi

L Fimate

  • (2021) Thina Râpthlak.

RH Hminglien

  • (1997). Hmangaitu Hmel.

FT Hminga

  • (1991). Hmar Pipu Thilhming Lo Phuokhai. Churachandpur, Manipur: Dr. FT Hminga.
  • (1993). Hmar Ṭawng Indiklem. Churachandpur, Manipur: Dr. FT Hminga.
  • (1994). Hming Umzie Neihai. Churachandpur, Manipur: Dr. FT Hminga.

HC Hrangate

  • (1996). Pathien Kut.

Lalhmuoklien

  • (2009). Gospel Through Darkness. Churachandpur, Manipur: Rev. Dr. Lalmuoklien. SMART tech Offset Printers, Churachandpur

SN Ngurte

  • (1991). Damlai Thlaler.
  • (1994). Rengchawnghawi.
  • (1995). Kanaan Phaizawl. HL Lawma & Sons Publication.
  • (2011). Bible Ram.
  • (2018). Chawngngo, Zochung Lanu Hmeltha.

Ruolnekhum Pakhuongte

  • (1983). The Power of the Gospel Among the Hmar Tribe. Shillong, Meghalaya: EFCI. Ri Khasi Press, Shillong.

Jonathan Pudaite

  • (1982). Beyond The Next Mountain: The Story of Rochunga Pudaite. Tyndale House Publishers.
  • (2011). The Legacy of Watkin R. Roberts.

Rochunga Pudaite

  • (1960). Tlangchar Tuihnar.
  • (1961). The Glory of God.
  • (1963). The Education of the Hmar People. Sielmat, Churachandpur. Indo-Burma Pioneer Mission, 1963.
  • (1985), The Dime That Lasted Forever. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers.
  • (2008). English-Hmar Dictionary. Partnership Publishing House.
  • (2011). Ka Hring Nun Vol-1. Thomson Press, Harayana.

Rosiem Pudaite

  • (2002). Indian National Struggle for Freedom and its Impact on the Mizo Movement (1935–1953 AD).

John H. Pulamte

  • (2011). Hmar Bûngpui Pastor Thangngur. Imphal, Manipur: Dr. John H. Pulamte. BCPW, Imphal.

Jacob Pudaite

  • (2017) Missiological Approach to the Meitei.

Darsanglien Ruolngul

  • (1963). Thudik Thedikna.
  • (2009). The Advance of the Gospel (Part One). Churachandpur, Manipur: Rev. Darsanglien Ruolngul. SMART * tech Offset Printers, Churachandpur.
  • (2013). Kohran. Churachandpur, Manipur: ICI. Diamond Offset, Churachandpur.
  • Zawlnei Isai Inchukna
  • Chanchintha Kalchawi (Part 1 & 2).

Ngurthangkhum Sanate

  • (1984). Ngurte Pahnam Chanchin. Churachandpur, Manipur

Thangsawihmang Sawngate

  • (2012). Hmangaina Parbâwr. Churachandpur, Manipur.

Lalthankhum Sinate

  • (2001). Kohran Hring.

JC Thangsiem

  • Zilsi Varzan. Rengkai, Churachandpur.

Hrilrokhum Thiek

  • (1996). Maichâma Mei Chu Sukchawk Zing Ding A Nih.
  • (2013). History of the Hmars in North East India, Guwahati, Assam: Rev. Hrilrokhum Ṭhiek, Bhabani Offset Private Ltd., Guwahati.

H Thuomte

  • (2001). Joute Pahnam Inthladan (Joute Genealogy). Churachandpur, Manipur
  • Various. (2008). Lal Remruot – Saidan Chanchin. Delhi. Hmanglien & Sons. Rai's Ad-venture, Delhi.

H Zaneisang

  • (2003). Sinlung. Churachandpur, Manipur: H. Zaneisang. Diamond Offset, Churachandpur.

Timothy Z Zote

  • (2007). Manmasi Year Book (Vol-II), Churachandpur, Manipur: Manmasi Year Book Editorial Board. BCPW, Imphal.
  • (2015). Sixth Schedule le District Council Hmelhmang.

Immanuel Zarzosang

  • with Lalthakim Hmar (ed). (2016). Highland Musing. 2016. IndigeNE: Imphal.
  • (2014). Hmar at the Crossroads. IndigeNE: Imphal.
  • (2014). Culture and Development: Hmar of Tipaimukh in Transition. IndigeNE: Imphal.

Piani Hmar

  • (2025).Rolung, Sinlung Academy of Letters.

Vanlalhlun Faiheng

  • (2025) Kross Inkhawkpui Rawh.

Ngurrivung

  • (2014). Hung Ro Indinthar Nawk Ei Tiu.
  • (2016). Hnam Rolung 2015-2016 Rochunga Pudaite

Hmar Writers Club

  • (2021). Hnam Ro. Hmar Writers Club, GHQ.
  • (202*). Hnam Ro 2. Hmar Writers Club, GHQ.

Siekkhohen Tamhrang

  • (2018). Muolkhawpui.

J C Chongkholien

  • (2021). Rengkai Lal - Kailien: A Khawsathai le a Thlahai.

Dony Tuolte

  • Ka Tawnhriet (Vol 1 & II)

Jami Darngawn

  • Lalpa Mi Pawlna

Academic Papers

Robert L Sungte

  • (2007). Impact of Religious Journals on the Hmar tribe in Manipur, Karnataka. Mangalore University, Mangalore.

Immanuel Zarzosang

  • (2016). "Revisiting Sikpui Ruoi of the Hmar Tribe." Anthropology Today. Vol. 1, No. 2. ISSN 2454-2709. Pp. 60–72.
  • (2017). "In Search of the "Holy" Confluence: A Journey to the Barak River." In: Queenbala Marak (Ed) "Doing Autoethnography". Serials Publications: New Delhi.
  • (2019). Ruolevaisuo a Hohlimna Thusim Thlirletna. 2019. In: Nunhlui-II (Hmar MIL Textbook for TDC Third Semester), Assam University, Silchar, Hmar Literature Society, Assam.
  • (2014). "Traditional concepts on honour, wealth, happiness and self-reliance vis-á-vis planned development: Case of the Hmars." In: Aheibam Koireng Singh, Amol Sanasam and Sushma Phurailatpam (Ed) "Knowing Manipur from Endogenous Perspective". Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University and Indian Council of Social Science Research: Imphal. Vol. 2.
  • (2011). "Indigenous Knowledge System, Identity, Freedom and Tipaimukh Dam: An Anthropological Perspective." In: Lal Dena (Ed) "Dialogue on Tipaimukh Dam". Akansha Publishing House: New Delhi.
  • (2005). Pre-historical Heritage of Ruong Le Vaisuo. "Hmar Arasi". Souvenir on the occasion of Cultural Festival-cum-Sikpui Ruoi, 2 – 5 December & 50th General Assembly-cum-Literary Meet, 15 – 16 December. Hmar Students' Association General Headquarters: Churachandpur.
  • with R. Th. Varte. (2017). "Hmar Traditional Practices in Conflict Resolution: An Anthropological Perspective." In: Melvil Pereira, Bitopi Dutta and Binita Kakati (Ed) "Legal Pluralism and Indian Democracy: Tribal Conflict Resolution Systems in Northeast India". Routledge: New York.

Marina Laltlinzo Infimate

  • (2022). "Causativization in Hmar." Himalayan Linguistics.

C. Vanlalawmpuia

  • (2024). "Ṭawngkasuok: Traditional Sayings of the Hmar People," Mizoram University Journal of Humanities and Social Science, X, 1, 2024.

See also

References

Further reading

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