Mara people
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 42,885[1] (2011) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India (Mizoram)  Myanmar (Chin State) | |
| Languages | |
| Maraic languages, Mizo, Burmese | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity |
The Mărās (Lakher) are an ethnic group of Mizoram, India and Myanmar. They refer to themselves as "Maras".[2][better source needed]
Etymology
[edit]While the people call themselves Maras, several exonyms have formed from neighbouring tribes and clans. The Lushei clans referred to the Maras as Lakher, while the Chin named them Zo. Early British encounters named the tribes as Shendu before adopting the Lushei exonym.[3][4]
History
[edit]Early Migrations
[edit]The Mara's 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
[edit]- ^ Parry's book was published in 1924 and mentioned migration as 200-300 years ago.
References
[edit]- ^ "Mizoram". 2011 Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ Dr K. Zohra, Ph.D, An introductory notes to Mara District of South Mizoram, India.
- ^ Shakespear, John (1912). The Lushei Kuki Clans. London: Macmillan and Company, limited. p. 213.
- ^ Parry, N.E; Hutton, J.E (1932). The Lakhers. London: Macmillan & Co, Limited. p. 1.
- ^ Parry & Hutton 1932, p. 2.
