When the State Administration Council (SAC) of our Bamah Tatmadaw mercilessly burnt down our beloved Thantlang town in September 2022, we all shed tears and were filled with deep sorrow. We eagerly await the day when we can rebuild it together, united by the spirit of tlawmngaihna (altruism) of a Mizo custom passed down by our forefathers. This tradition is important to us on all occasions. (Nehemiah 2:17). We believe that one day will come, not only for Thantlang but also for all the towns, villages, and homes that have been burned down and continue to be bombed in our country. Together, we will rebuild them.
Failure of Fulfilling Historic Task and Its Consequences:
As we all understand, our prime task moving forward is to restore the crucial historic agreement and fulfill the responsibilities it entails. This vision, envisioned by the founding fathers of the Union, has been handed down to us as a significant legacy and duty that we must not fail to accomplish.
First and foremost, we must work towards achieving self-determination to ensure a better future for all ethnic nationalities in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on equal and equitable terms for greater autonomy. The Panglong Agreement explicitly states the principle of equality: “One Kyat for Bamar, one Kyat for Shan“. This agreement aims to foster unity and equality among all groups by establishing a suitable Democratic Federal State for Myanmar, promoting mutual trust and respect. Furthermore, these ideals are clearly outlined in the Declaration and the Nine Point Pledge to the Union. It is disheartening that many in the new generations are unaware of, or have rarely encountered, this vital history. Instead of directly establishing a Democratic Federated Union, all successive governments in our nation continually practiced a Unitary Union purposefully in substitution. As a result, we were facing unwelcome military coups frequently in different forms such as Care-taker, RC, SLORC, SPDC, and SAC. These events have created a breeding ground for the longest-running armed conflicts in modern history.
Secondly, our hopes for unity and equality have been significantly shaken as the military has directly or indirectly ruled Myanmar most of the time since independence. The first incident occurred on March 2, 1962, when a Military coup took place on the eve of a parliamentary debate regarding the establishment of a Federal Union originally agreed upon. The second instance happened on February 1, 2021, as the military seized power again from the National League for Democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi’s newly elected government was about to begin the first sitting for a second five-year term. The last military coup resulted is that our becoming a war-torn country now.
The Chins in the Spring Revolution:
The various People’s Defense Forces (PDF) currently participating in the Spring Revolution are united in their effort to restore the vital task of building a just and peaceful united nation for us to enjoy equally by all Myanmar nationals, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or religious beliefs. It is anticipated that this movement will enhance security and equity across our respective states and regions. A significant historical task for all the Chins is to fight unitedly alongside other ethnic nationalities and their various pro-democratic PDFs to achieve this common goal as soon as possible.
Why Should We Fight Each Other?
It is unfortunate and surprising to see that, against the expectation of many, various armed groups among the Chins, identified by letters (Cs, F. H, K, M, N, P, Z, etc.), are now turning their weapons on one another instead of uniting against our common enemy. The conflict arises from petty quarrels and prior misunderstandings, often fueled by false accusations skillfully crafted and incited by internal enemies and traitors who seek to sow discord by employing lackeys and decoys instead of proper discussion and negotiation first. These armed groups are intruding into each other’s territories suddenly and engaging in battles under the guise of fraternity and Chin brotherhood spirit. This threatens the remaining safe and unscathed townships in Chin State after destroying one by one, including Falam, our former capital, recently, in the guise of seeking to fight SAC armies in other townships.
Many respected Chin religious leaders have repeatedly warned the freedom fighters, through Zoom conferences, to maintain unity by refraining from trespassing into each other’s territories uninvited and to stop fighting between brothers. Also, to stop funding by using the tithes they collected in the churches. They exhorted that we should not fight each other for personal gain or in pursuit of power and glory, which stem from uncontrollable greed. Our ancient forefathers wisely cautioned that “Cocks fighting each other at home is a sign of impending danger of perishing.” A well-known saying reminds us, “United we stand, divided we fall”. We must recognize that this is a critical time for us to stand together rather than engage in conflict among ourselves. Fighting against each other will surely lead to mutual destruction. The Bible teaches us to” Love your neighbor as yourself”. However, if instead of showing love, we are always biting and devouring one another, we must beware of destroying each other. (New Believer’s Bible, Gal. 5:14-15).
Lessons Learned from History
Now is the time to reflect deeply on our history as a Union and our current situation since gaining independence. We teach history in schools not only to avoid ignorance of the past but also to improve our future, as the famous historian Prof. Than Tun warned us. Let us bring to light some critical instances that have brought ill fortune and suffering to our race and people, which can be seen if approached and studied honestly.
The Curse of Derogatory Labeled Name.
Unfortunately, the colonizers began employing various confusing identity names such as Lushai, Kuki, and Chin based on their informants, without consulting us. Outsiders have officially referred to us as “Chins” in Myanmar since it was first used by Major W. Gwynne in 1881. The term was formally adopted by the authorities in 1896 with the announcement of the Chin Hills Regulations. The continual use of the name “Chin” in Myanmar’s constitutions of 1947, 1974, and 2008 further legitimized this designation. Our land was initially labeled as Chin Special Division in 1947 and was later changed to Chin State by the 1974 constitution. The term ‘Chin’, for better or worse, has come to be associated in the minds of many with the contemptuous view of these uplanders held by the Burman majority. This association has been compounded by our naïve political compliance, often without considering the potential consequences. Some individuals have gone so far as to try and create new labels such as “Chinmi” and “Chin ram” as substitutes for “Laimi” and “Lai ram” or “Zomi” and “Zogam”. Unfortunately, the name “Chin” has not brought us unity but rather discord rapidly these days, proving to be futile as we remain one of the least developed States in Myanmar today. To this day, none of us willingly refer to ourselves by this alien name, as it fails to adequately represent our culture and literature. The day will come in the near future, we can identify together freely, depending on our common consensus agreement reach to unite us firmly in our true generic and historical name. Those of our people who want to use and retain Chin and Chinmi as their identity are also free to do so.
The former Lushai people, who unexpectedly found themselves on the Indian side of the border after the demarcation of Burma and India in 1938, chose to discard their personal name ‘Lushai’ that had been assigned to them. Instead, in 1946, they embraced their true historical name, referring to themselves as “Mizo” and their land as “Mizo ram” (with “Mi” meaning people or man, and “Zo” referring to their ancestral name). Since then, they were recognized by their actual name and recognized as Mizoram State in 1968. This term, being their authentic historical and generic name, is deeply integrated into their language and culture, allowing them to thrive socially and politically. The unifying power of this name has contributed significantly to their rapid progress in various aspects of life. Their unifying mentality and stability is above all of us now.
This situation is reminiscent of how God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, establishing a proper national identity to safeguard their nation. Israel has stood strong ever since, benefitting from the name given by God. In 1953, when the former Zomi Baptist Convention (ZBC) was formed for the unity of Christians, it adopted our original historical national name as agreed upon by our leading and most revered pastors. This unity fostered significant prosperity. However, in 2013, the historic name ZBC, which had thrived for 60 years. was abruptly changed to the Chin Baptist Convention (CBC) by a politically ambitious group seeking to gain an advantage. This change has led to feelings of antipathy among the Chin Christian majority and has resulted in irreversible spiritual fragmentation within the community.
Split of Myanmar Nationals
There were five principal races recognized in Myanmar at the time of independence, and our flag featured five smaller stars encircling a larger Union Star. The Revolutionary Council later acknowledged eight major races representing the nationalities in Myanmar, which received widespread approval. However, the SLORC government announced the existence of 135 races living in Myanmar without thorough scrutiny, resulting in the confusing classification of 53 groups that existed among the Chins out of the 135 groups of the union.
This misclassification has impacted our cohesive unity. To rectify this mistake and establish a more accurate and desirable proper identity, the Chin History Compilation Committee (2001) carefully reorganized the 53 groups of Chins into seven closely knitted groups: Asho, K’cho, Khomi, Laimi, Matu, Mizo, and Zomi. This classification carefully considers slightly different dialects, clans, and family groups inclusively in those proper and favorable major groups.
We all use our respective collective names interchangeably instead of the foreign name in our respective areas. We also expect to agree one day for a common consensus name based on our true generic and historic nomenclature, which will be approved by historians and linguistic scholars depending on their scientific conclusions in the future. In the meantime, the History Compilation Committee agreed to use dual names such as Asho-Chin, K’cho-Chin, Khomi-Chin, Laimi-Chin, Matu-Chin, Mizo-Chin, and Zomi-Chin to provide specific identities that will promote unity and integrity, a step forward before we could reach a unifying proper single name.
Thanks to Our Brothers in Mizoram.
We are sincerely grateful for your kind hospitality, warmth, and welcoming spirit, which you have shown to all the refugees from Myanmar. You have embraced us with open arms, demonstrating the true essence of family and a feeling of oneness. Just as the good Lord sent Joseph to Egypt ahead to take care of refugees from Canaan, you have been sent to Mizoram to support those in need of us today. May the good Lord continue to bless you abundantly and fulfill the desires of your hearts to the fullest extent.
Unity In Diversity
After observing the 77th Chin National Day celebrations on February 20, 2025, in various locations around the world- such as Yangon, Hakha, Lamka, New Delhi, Malaysia, Japan and the USA- the speeches, the cultural songs and dances staged illustrated a deep longing for unity and togetherness as the best resolution for our common future. Everyone expressed the need for awareness and a united effort among all sub-tribes and families of our race, the majority of us firmly embracing the Christian values of truthfulness, love, and loyalty. This encourages us to foster unity in family diversity.
(Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and brings knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:20-21,NIV)
Furthermore, we observe that the current armed conflicts involving various ethnic national races do not aim to establish a separate and unique union but rather advocate for a free and just Federated Union of Myanmar. Similarly, the various armed groups among the respective Chins are not intending to establish a separate country or state but to defend their respective place by themselves without interference by heinous accusations as in the story of “The Lamb and The Wolf’ in Aesop’s fable. The current struggle allows for a certain degree of self-autonomy, respectively, making Myanmar greater than before and enabling all of us to enjoy the future reunification together understandingly as envisioned by our founding fathers.
We extend our love and appreciation to all our sons and daughters who are sacrificing their lives, limbs and bones, strength, energy, heart and soul for the sake of our people’s future. Your name will be put in a keepsake as our loved ones in memorial tributes to celebrate our community.
Concluding Plea.
Myanmar is a beautiful land rich with potential. If we unite and share our natural resources free from smug chauvinism, we can lead abundant lives in the future. Otherwise, we will always remain the least developed country in Southeast Asia. Destruction and woe will surely come unto all of us, the so-called Chins, if we are still ignorant.
- We must heed the vision and guidance of our founding fathers without fail for development, equality, and fraternity. Let us learn from history. “ But you, man of God, flee from all kinds of evil, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith”. (1 Timothy 6:11-12,NIV)
- Our history reveals the need for all those identified as Chins to unite us in the near future under our authentic historic name. For example, to choose one among the names like Shou, KCho, Khu, Laimi, Matu, Mizo, and Zomi, or probably rightly as Mizo and Zomi for those living in India and Myanmar, as Myanmar’s leading scholars and statesmen who will encompass all of us completely if we all could embrace the truth. We are called Zomi from time immemorial (Zo=ancestral name, Mi=man) (Vum Ko Hau-1963 p.211 &301; Father V. Sangermano-1833 p.43; Tuck & Carey, 1896 p 3, 23; George Scott, 1911 p.104; Pum Za Mang-1924 &1925; ZBC- S. T. Hau Go-1953; Lehman, F.K-1963 p.5; Thein Pe Myint, 1967 p.172; Gou Gin, 1972; Capt. Khup Za Thang, p.1-258,1974; Vum Son-1986; Sing Khaw Khai-1995; Aung San Suu Kyi-Freedom From Fear, p 57; BSPP’s Cultural Customary of Nationalities-CHIN- p. 35, etc. Linguists revealed instances that the word Zomi is a literary word and Mizo as a poetic word conveying the same meaning as Vaphual and Phualva or Sakhi and Khisa, revealing the same ancestry coming from a single root. Only then can blessings flow more throughout our future as we cultivate a sense of oneness adequately. Many nations in the world have changed their names upon realizing and discovering their true identities. eg, Siam to Thailand, Ceylon to Sri Lanka, Burma to Myanmar, Peking to Beijing, etc.
“Love the Lord your God and with all your heart and with all your mind. These are the first and greatest commandments. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt 22, 37-39 NIV)
- Beware of those inciting discord and disunity among us with fabricated, false additional accusations to justify their immediate ulterior motives in this delicate period. Remember the one-sidedly written and harshly prescribed during the Nargis disaster, the constitution of Myanmar in 2008, which brought us confusion. Bear in mind and pay respect that our current Chin State territory in the north was conquered as far as he could by Pu Kam Hau (1786–1868), the Suzerain Chief of North Chin State.
- While it may be difficult for many to accept the truth, making the right choice will ultimately lead to internal peace and strengthen our true Brotherhood Spirit faithfully. The American writer W.E.B. Griffin authored a series called “Brotherhood of War,” which includes titles such as The Lieutenants, The Captains, The Majors, The Colonels, The Berets, and The Generals. Their stories of success worldwide are commendable and worth emulating. However, let us remember that we should not become a Brotherhood at War.
- God Bless Myanmar and Chins!. Please stop fighting one another in Chin State, further killing lives and burning or bombing our dwelling houses savagely by either side. Let us keep our history unmarred by conflict among us, for we are too precious and too few to be hostile toward one another. So far, we have been able to keep peace and tranquility in our respective regions as far as we could. Let us also retain the good name we have earned as good and faithful soldiers saving the Rangoon Government to survive in the time of the newly born independent Burma. The good Lord says:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).
I pray that all conscientious Chins and far-sighted leaders in CNF/CNA, Chin Brotherhood, and ZRO/ZRA who value peace, unity, and reconciliation will come together, reflect on the truth, recognize, and believe that the truth will set us free.
Also, all those who are kindly willing to render a frank and constructive view, having positive and practical thoughts for our future good, are cordially invited to come and contribute their best counsel and share wise ideas at this time of need we are currently facing.
Let us make our people thrive, be great, and move forward altogether. –
With Best Wishes and sincere goodwill regards to all in good faith,
C. Thang Za Tuan, Ph.D.(alias) ThangTuan Ngalliam
Formerly Associate Professor of the University for the Development of National Races, Sagaing. Retired Deputy Director-General (Academics) & Advisor in Education, Myanmar.
Chairman of Chin History Compilation Committee of Class 2001.
Chairman of Zomi-Chin, Literature and Culture Uplift Society-ZOLCUS, Dept. of Ethnic Literature and Culture, Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, Yangon Region, Yangon.
Dated: May 1, 2025
