Mara people

Not to be confused with the Marra people of Australia.

Mara people (Lakher)
Total population
42,885[1] (2011)
Regions with significant populations
 India (Mizoram)
 Myanmar (Chin State)
Languages
Mara, Maraic languages, Mizo, Burmese
Religion
Christianity

The Mara (Mara; pronounced [mərà], မရာ; pronounced [mərà]) (as also called Lakher in acient time) people are an ethnic group of Mizoram state, India and, Chin state, Myanmar. [2][better source needed]

Etymology

While the people call themselves Maras, several exonyms have formed from neighbouring tribes and clans. The Lushei clans referred to the Maras as Lakher. Early British encounters named the tribes as Shendu before adopting the Lushei exonym.[3][4]

Geography

Maraland is split between India and Burma, right at their border.

West Maraland

West Maraland is located in Mizoram, India with its own district and autonomy.

East Maraland

East Maraland is located in Chin state, Burma. It's split into 2 districts: Thantlang District and Matupi District, with the former locally known as "Chha Mara", and the latter "Fei Mara".

History

Early Migrations

The Mara people are said to have arrived from the North and are presumed to have been pushed further south by pressure from the East. They settled originally between Leitak and Leisai before moving through several settlements and crossing the Kaladan river and establishing themselves in Phusa in the Lushai Hills. From Phusa, the Mara migrated to Beukhi, where the Siaha and Saiko Tlongsais separated and established settlements with endonymic names, namely Siaha and Serkawr. It was estimated the Mara were settled in the Lushai Hills between 300-400 years ago.[a][5]

Notes

  1. ^ Parry's book was published in 1924 and mentioned migration as 200-300 years ago.

References

  1. ^ "Mizoram". 2011 Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  2. ^ Dr K. Zohra, Ph.D, An introductory notes to Mara District of South Mizoram, India.
  3. ^ Shakespear, John (1912). The Lushei Kuki Clans. London: Macmillan and Company, limited. p. 213.
  4. ^ Parry, N.E; Hutton, J.E (1932). The Lakhers. London: Macmillan & Co, Limited. p. 1.
  5. ^ Parry & Hutton 1932, p. 2.