Zanniat

The Zanniat are a tribe from Chin people of Burma (currently known as Myanmar).

Tribe

The Economics Of The Central Chin Tribes by H N. C Stevenson published in 1943 [1] recorded eight tribes of the Falam subdivision and the name Zanniat was clearly recorded with its sub-tribes as of 1931 Census.[2]

  1. Zanniat
  2. Sipawng
  3. Tapawng

Sub-tribes/Clans

Though only three sub-tribes are record officially by the census in 1931 there are many sub-tribes and clans under Zanniat as:

  1. Sumthang
  2. Laizo
  3. Zanniat
  4. Nuhma
  5. Nuhnua
  6. Tualung
  7. Sangvai
  8. Sipawng
  9. Tapawng
  10. Neirel
  11. Bairek
  12. Phunnim
  13. Sazuat
  14. Thangpak # Conzo
  15. Musuu
  16. Lungkim
  17. Pahu
  18. Sangvai
  19. Khuacuh
  20. Zani
  21. Sirhlut
  22. Lenduh
  23. Keko
  24. Khambawi
  25. Mitcaw
  26. Hnamte
  27. Parmung
  28. Kalsan
  29. Makap
  30. Thanglung
  31. Thunfawm
  32. Mangthuan
  33. Tlukkhen
  34. Mangsuak
  35. Zasiah
  36. Siahtling
  37. Hlumring
  38. Ringhial
  39. Nuhma
  40. Zahre
  41. Phunhi
  42. Lerngo
  43. Tangsia
  44. Hualngo
  45. Darthang
  46. Zalar
  47. Singrel
  48. Thiamdo
  49. Minul
  50. Hringngen
  51. Conthawng.
  52. Tlangtian
  53. Rangngul.
  54. Vansia
  55. Zunsawn.
  56. Tothuang
  57. Lianpial

In the Chin Hills Gazeteer of 1896 [3] Zanniat tribe name had been completely ignored and this had been record by Stevenson as: "In some extrodinary way this large tribe completely escaped the notice of the authors of the Chinn Hill Gazeteer, who lumped them together with the Tashon."

Land

Zanniat tribe lives in hilly region eastern part of Manipuri river in Chin state to plain areas of Sagaing division in Burma. In Chin state the ancestral land of Zanniat tribe is within the Falam Township. The Manipuri river flowing from north to east within the Falam Township of Chin state makes clear natural boundary of Zanniat land within the Falam township and the Chin state. The land stretches from eastern Manipuri river of Falam township and meets the western Sagaing division. At the north it borders the land of Ngawn tribe within the Falam township and also border the Tedim township. At south to the east the Manipuri river naturally separates the land from other tribes in Falam township and the Sagaing division.

In 1943 H N. C Stevenson recorded Zanniat tribe and map along with other tribes of Central Chin Hills in his book The Economics of Central Chin Tribes.

Zanniat Land

Forest

The land has thick vegetation with wild animals. The famous thick forests are:

  1. Khuanghlum
  2. Lianthar
  3. Ngalsip
  4. Suangdawn
  5. Thangpawl
  6. Voklutlang

Towns and Villages

There are 34 villages and towns within Zanniat land in Chin hills as of 2016.

  1. Congkua
  2. Farso
  3. Hlanzawl
  4. Hmunli
  5. Kawlfang
  6. Khualai
  7. Khuaval
  8. Khunzing
  9. Khitam
  10. Kimniang (Old)
  11. Kimniang (New)
  12. Lianrih
  13. Lumbang
  14. Lumte
  15. Lunghawh
  16. Locom
  17. Maihol
  18. Mualzawl
  19. Murang
  20. Ngaizam
  21. Pamunchaung
  22. Ralum
  23. Simcing
  24. Thanghluang
  25. Tlangphai
  26. Thawi
  27. Tlortang
  28. Tlorzan
  29. Tuphai
  30. Vanniam
  31. Webula
  32. Zalang
  33. Zatual
  34. Zultu

Name

The Zanniat tribe is also known in different names but very close in accent. Some of them are:

  1. Zahnyiet [4]
  2. Zanniet [5]
  3. Zanngiat
  4. Zannaing or Yannaing

Language

Zanniat is one the languages spoken in Falam township of Chin state in Burma (Myanmar). Academically Zanniat falls under the Sino-Tibetan language.[6]

History

Zanniat people trace their ancestry to Chin and identified themselves as Tibeto-Burman and believed to be from Mongolia of China.

Settlement in plain area to mountains

Early Chin people settled at the plain western plain areas of Sagaing, which was known as Kauka or Vingpui, which is later known as Kale. The name Vingpui refers to a type of fort made of bricks. Due to invasions of tribes from Manipur people from Vingpui escape to several directions which led to the forefathers of Zanniat tribe to settle in mountainous land, currently in Chin state.

Early settlement in Chin hills

The forefathers of Zanniat people moved from Vingpui to mountainous areas.

Religion

Traditionally Zanniat people believed in the existence of super natural being called as Pathian. The people also believed in other spiritual beings known as Khuazing whom they offered sacrifices in return for favour and blessing. People also believed in the existence of bad spiritual beings like demons as Khawsia.

The first and Protestant Christian missionaries came to Chin Hills were Rev Arthur Carson and Laura Carson,[7][8] a couple from American Baptist Mission arrived Chin Hills on March 15, 1899 A.D. In 1906 A.D Thang Tsin became the first Christian among Zanniat people through the missionaries. Roman Catholic mission came later to Zanniat people. After Christianity was introduced by early missionaries the majority of Zanniat people have been converted into Christians which also largely influence the social and cultural changes to the whole tribe.

References

  1. ↑ The Economic Of The Central Chin Tribes by H N. C Stevenson
  2. ↑ Burma Census 1931
  3. ↑ The Chin Hills: a history of the people, our dealings with them, their customs and manners, and a gazetteer of their country Vol-1
  4. ↑ Zahnyiet
  5. ↑ Zanniet
  6. ↑ Sino-Tibetan Languages by Randy J. LaPolla, Graham Thurgood
  7. ↑ First Christian Missionaries to Chin Hills
  8. ↑ A Short History of Christianity in Burma by Stephen Hre Kio
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