Mizo religion
The Mizo religion, also known as Lushai animism,[1] is an indigenous polytheistic ethnic religion that was practiced by the majority of the Mizo people before conversions to Christianity which started with the British annexation of the region.[2] As of the 2001 census, 1,367 people practiced the Mizo religion.[3][4]
Beliefs
Pathian
Pathian is the supreme God who was the creator of the world and all that there is in it. The tribal Mizos had great respect for Pathian as he was believed to be kind-hearted and would always help them. They believe that Pathian blesses the righteous with blessings and good fortune, and punishes the wicked with calamities and misfortunes.[2][5][6]
Khuanu
The Mizos revered the woman deity of Khuanu, meaning 'mother of nature'. She is the wife of Pathian and is a benevolent Goddess who blesses humans just as a mother does her children.[2][5]
Benevelont spirits
Khuavang are benevolent spirits who have never caused harm to people, but rather help in their difficulties, and thus they are good spirits. They are thought to live in high places, most likely on a mountain or hill. Khuavang is a symbol of kindness and greatness. Khuavang bestows on humans a large number of children and long married life.[2]
Pu Vana was a benevolent spirit who was the Pathian family's grandfather, and most likely the father of Pathian. He was worshipped as the god of nature, endowed with power, thunder, and lightning and hence he can be compared with Lord Indra of Hindu religion.[5]
Vanchungnula was believed to be the damsel in the family of Pathian and was the goddess of rain and water. It was said that she was Pathian's daughter and would pour water whenever humans require it.[2]
Sakhua spirit: The word Sakhua is made up of two words: sa and khua. Sa is the creator and progenitor of a tribe, clan, or race, and khua is the protector who bestows well-being on humans. Sakhua was the god of the family or clan.[2]
Khaltu or guardian spirit The "Khaltu" spirit was associated with people's lives and well-being. Every living creature was also thought to have a "thla" (soul), and as long as the soul remained in the body, the person was considered to be alive. If a person had a terrifying experience, such as being mauled by wild animals or captured by an enemy, the soul was similarly terrified, and a sacrifice was required to restore proper and normal relations with the "khaltu." When the experience became truly terrifying, a goat was sacrificed; the tail was severed and tied around the neck with a string. Breaking this string was a serious offense for the Mizos, possibly as serious as breaking the sacred tread for Hindus.[2]
Malevolent spirits
Mizos believed in the existence of malevolent evil spirits who were believed to cause human misery, suffering, and misfortunes. Numerous spirits were mentioned in accordance with their abodes.
Ramhuai means "the malignant spirit of the forest or jungle," and they were found throughout the 'jhum' and forest. They frequently haunted people and took on various disguises.[2]
Hmuithla was an evil spirit that was thought to afflict both humans and animals. This spirit roams the night looking for humans and animals on the verge of death. This was similar to "Yamraj", in Hinduism.[2]
Phung was a spirit that was dark in colour and colossal, and was believed to caused humans to suffer from insanity and epilepsy. Convulsions or spasms in children were also thought to be caused by "phung's" displeasure.[2]
Khawhring spirits would watch people's food and drink with evil eyes. Because these spirits possessed food and drink, the Mizos would offer a portion of their food to the evil spirits before eating and drinking. If someone was thought to be possessed by "khawhring," it was almost legal to kill that person.[2]
Revival
Hnam sakhua is a modernized traditional Mizo religion that places a special emphasis on the Mizo culture and seeks to revive traditional Mizo values while opposing the influence of Christianity on the Mizo people.[4]
References
- ^ Srijani Bhattacharjee (November 2017), From Animism To Structured Beliefs: Socio-Cultural Changes In Lushai Hills With The Advent Of Christianity And British Administration In The Region, International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies, p. 37, S2CID 220631805
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Religion of the Mizos before Their Conversion to Christianity" (Document). Penn State University.
{{cite document}}: Unknown parameter|citeseerx=ignored (help) - ^ Table ST-14a, Indian Census 2001
- ^ a b "About Mizoram". Dept of Panchayati Raj, Government of Mizoram.
- ^ a b c "Land in the traditional Mizo religion and its significance for the development of a Mizo theology of land". Serampore University.
- ^ "A Critical Study On Christian Mission With Special Reference To Presbyterian Church Of Mizoram" (PDF). University of Birmingham.