The Mizo Society: Continuity and Change

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The book entitled The Mizo Society Continuity and Change is an edited volume by Prof J.Zorema and Dr.B.Lalrinchhani. It is a number of papers presented by scholars and teachers from different colleges. It is divided into eighteen chapters. The writers wrote about the many changes which were brought about in the Mizo society. Some of the various causes or the means for this change according to them were education, modernization, westernization and also the new social media which was recently introduced. They gave us an insight into how these changes had affected the various areas of the society. Some writers emphasized on the marriage and family system while studies are also done regarding how the vernacular language is affected. The various beliefs, superstitions, warfare and various other aspects of the society are also taken into account. This volume give us an insight not only the changes but also the areas where modernization and other means did not alter some of the Mizo beliefs and traditional systems.

PROF. J.ZOREMA (b.1960) is currently the Principal of Govt.J.Buana College, Lunglei. He has finished his Masters degree and Doctorate of Philosophy from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. He has presented many research papers in State and National Seminars. Many of his works are seen in Peer Reviewed Journals. He is the author and editor of several books. He is cuurently an Assessor of NAAC.

DR. B. LALRINCHHANI (b.1971) has finished her Masters Degree and Doctorate of Philosophy from NEHU, Shillong. She is currently working in Govt. J.Buana College, Lunglei as Associate Professor.

Mizo society once characterized by its communality, sense of justice, equality, integrity and honesty. The Mizo known for their dignity of labour, respect for elders, self reliance etc. Tlawmngaihna was a unique traditional institution practiced among the Mizo. The tlawmngaihna, through zawlbuk, an educational institution in the past Mizo society. instilled in the Mizo youth not only the more important aspects of education - imparting value systems and belief systems, but with skills as well. The society and culture were based on true democratic principles, honesty, truthfulness and faithfulness. They valued a person not in terms of material possessions or wealth but on moral and ethical standards with integrity. To them traditional religion, individual life, and community life were inseparable. Politically, the Mizo had a well organised administrative system under which citizens enjoyed stability and security without the interference of outside powers. Socially and religiously, they had their own cummunity values and traditional beliefs that left on one an irreligious person or an individual. Egalitarianism was their way of life. Economically, they were self sufficient with no greed for more beyond their needs. Life was in its totality and originality without mass environmental destruction. But with the advent of British and Christian missionaries and political modernization, the Mizo way of life have been changed considerably.

Human society has never remained static. It is constantly changing; but the ideas, values, traditional practices are enduring.

Education played an important requirement to catch up with the fast paced competitive world. Female education particularly played a vital role in the process of development in various ways. It improved knowledge about health and hygiene of the family members. It opened better opportunities and avenues for exploring new ideas and openings. But the present scheme of education is incapable of preparing the modern Mizo to face the realities of life and the need for an alternative mode of education system

which will equip the modern Mizo with a practical understanding of reality and the skill to tackle it, is greatly felt. This book tries to study the changes in Mizo society from different perspectives. It is a collection of seventeen papers which are presented in the ICSSR-NERC sponsored State Level Seminar which was organized by Department of History, Govt.

J.Buana College. The first section deals with Society, Beliefs and Superstitions in Mizo Society. Mr. Benjamin Lalnunfima in his paper entitled Society, Beliefs and Superstitions in Mizo Society described the various beliefs and superstitions in the traditional period and how many of those beliefs had been done away with due to the introduction of Christianity and education. He also highlights some of the beliefs and practices which are still followed in the modern period. Ms. Vanlairemruati Khiangte studied the Beliefs and Superstitions in Mizo Society. She wrote the beliefs and superstitions which was followed by the Mizo. She focus on how those practices had an impact on the society. Dr. Lalchhuanawma, in his paper The Methods of Mizo War Traditional Warfare and Strategies wrote how the inter-clan village feuds and wars were common to the Mizo and that the chief belonging to a particular clan waged war against another chief belonging to a different clan. He described the war strategies, the weapons used and the important wars which took place in the pre-modern period. Dr.Zoramdinthara & Enid.H.Lalrammuani in their paper Laltheri Zai as Reflection of Liberation for Social Bondage in Mizo Society looks into one of the chief's daughter Laltheri who could not marry her lover as he was a commoner. They studied the songs which were composed by her and how society was reflected in those songs. They further added that due to her songs, some of the conditions which were binding upon the chiefs were changed. It was because of her songs that the chief allowed the ladies of the chiefs family to marry a commoner.

The second section deals with Tradition and Modern Interface in Mizo Society. RTC Lalremruata and K.Lalhmangaihkimi in their paper entitled Menstrual Knowledge and Practices among Female Adolescents in Lunglei studies the traditional belief of Mizo society which he said was characterized by a strong process of taboo where sex, reproductive health and menstruation were rarely discussed.

**Contents and Sample Pages**