Mizoram: Meet The Major Tribes of the State

The Ralte tribe is one of the Kuki-chin groups of the Tibeto-Burman family. They are a group of people who strictly maintains their individual identity and have their own dialect.

Ralte

They are among the major tribes of Mizoram. They are among the most prominent communities in the state and form under the category of the Tibetan-Buramn language group.

Lushai

Hmars are generally considered to be part of the larger Mizo ethnic group. Hmars are said to be the first settlers in what is now the state of Mizoram, as can be seen by the Hmar names of many villages and rivers in the Champhai area of the state, bordering Myanmar.

Hmar

The Pawi Tribe resides in the south and south-eastern part of Mizoram. Also known as Lai, they are said to have migrated from the Chin Hills of Burma. The Pawi call themselves Lai.

Pawi

Also known as Mara, they are primarily native to northeastern India, particularly in the Mara Autonomous District Council of Mizoram. The majority of the Lakher (Mara) population resides in rural areas, fostering a strong sense of community and kinship bonds.

Lakher

Also known as Brus, they are largely found in Mizoram's Mamit district. They speak the Kaubru language and largely practice Vaishnavite Hinduism. A large number of Reangs were displaced to neighbouring Tripura owing to ethnic violence. 

Reang

The Chakmas reside within the Chakma Autonomous Distirct Council bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh. They first migrated to Arakan Hill of Myanmar and then Chittagong Hill tracts of Tripura. A major part of them however migrated to Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh in course of time. They largely practice Buddhism.

Chakma

There are several smaller minor sub-tribes are reside in Mizoram. Most of their customs and traditions are simliar to the larger tribes like the Lushais. They are collectively known as 'Awzia.'

Awzia