Mizos are the people (Mi) of the hills (Zo). They have a nature, which is usually calm and quiet. The people and their habitat have a symbolic relationship, which is evident even to a casual visitor to the land. They are a close- knit society with no class distinction and discrimination on grounds of sex, status or religion. Mizo village is usually set on top of a hill with the Chief’s house at the center and the bachelor’s dormitory prominently located in a central place. They are of the Mongolian stock and their forefathers were living in Myanmar.
Art and Craft/ Dress and Design:
The intricate traditional designs woven by the Mizo women are hard to imagine. The unique value of Mizo Puan comes from the personal involvement of the weaver, who weaves her dreams on the loom. Many more modern designs with exquisite play of colour combination and weaving patterns, are also evolved, e.g. Puanchei, which is by far the most colourful costume and is used by every Mizo lady.
Kawrchei is a distinctive blouse, whereas Ngotekherh is a traditional Puan, used originally as men’s wear but not by men and women alike. Hmar Am and Chyna Hno are other distinctive items.
Passion and Rhythm:
Fairs and Festivals: Mim Kut or the Maize festival is usually celebrated during August- September, with great fun-fare by drinking rice- beer, singing, dancing and feasting. Samples of the year’s harvests are consecrated to the departed souls of the community. Chapchar Kut or the Spring Festival is the most popular celebration, organised after completion of their most arduous task of jungle clearing for jhum operations. On this day, people in their respective colourful costumes and head-gears, assemble and perform various folk dances, sing traditional songs accompanied by the beating sound of drums, gongs and cymbals.
Pawl Kut is another harvest celebration, celebrated during December- January. It is perhaps the greatest of all the Mizo festivals.
Dances:
The most colourful and distinctive dance of the Mizos is called Cheraw. Long bamboo staves are used for this dance, hence called Bamboo Dance, a dance of skill and alert minds. Khuallam is another dance, performed in colourful profiles to the tune of gongs and drums. A dance for the visitors and guests. Chheihlam is the dance over a round of rice- beer in the cool of the evening. The lyrics in triplets are normally fresh and spontaneous on-the-spot compositions, encounting their heroic deeds and escapades and also praising the honoured guests in their midst.