Sizang people

The Siyin (Sizang) people or the Thaute people are mainly the descendants of Pu Thuantak as also known as Suantak in Tedim language and related clans, and their adopted sons and daughters. The Siyin Valley is located in the present day Chin State, Burma, founded by the descendants of the Pu Thuantak, when they moved away from their original home of Ciimnuai with other Zo (Chin) people such as the Sukte, Thado, Zou, and other related clans.

Zo lived collectively in the place known as Ciimnuai, for a long period of time until they experienced population explosion. Thus, finding new settlements were essential for their continued survival in terms of cultivation, in the hope of getting sufficient foods from fertile soils for each community. Consequently, they scattered throughout the mountains, dales and valleys within and surrounding the present Chin State. Due to communication difficulties and their isolations, each departed group from Ciimnuai developed a unique dialect at the later periods. The Sizang language emerged the same way as Vaiphei, Teizang, Saizang, Val, Zou, Dim, Khuangsai, Hangmi/Milhiem and others, and they are closely related to one another.

Meaning and definition

Si means salt water; Zang means the northern side. Sizang is known as Siyin thus represents people who live at the northern part of the spring of salt water. Sizang was already the name of a place to which immigrants from Ciimuai relocated. Later generations that continued to live in the same location, have adopted Sizang as their ethnic identity.

Culture and Tradition

Siyin culture and tradition are similar to those of other sub-ethnic groups of Zo people, with only slight variations.

Religion

Before their conversion to Christianity, the Siyin (Sizang) were animists, worshipping nature, Doai (Devil/spirit), and Pathian (God). They worshiped unknown spirits in order to avoid being harmed. Pleasing the Devil was an essential part of their ritual performance and worship.

Important places

• Fort White: British Field Marshal Sir George Stuart White built a fort at Thangmual mountain, called Fort White, during the Second World War, to defend against the Japanese invasion of Burma. The nearest places to Fort white are Khuasak and Taingen. Fort White was later moved to Thuklai. Fort White on map.

• Sial Lum Fort: The native Siyin (Sizang) fought the British viciously, at Sial Lum Fort, near Voklak village. Many British soldiers lost their lives. The state government continues to preserve Sial Lum Fort today for commemoration of the heroic acts of the Siyin (Sizang), in their rebellion against imperialism.

• Mount Kennedy: Locally known as Thuammual, it was one of the British army's headquarters during the Second World War. Many battles were fought on the mount of Kennedy between the Japanese army and the British army.

Occupation

The main occupation is shifting (slash and burn) cultivation, with the exceptional keeping of livestock such as rearing cows, gayals, goats, chickens and pigs in the countryside. There are a number of people who also work in the public sector, as civil servants, for example.

Language and Dialect

The Siyin (Sizang) have a unique dialect but it is very close to the present Tedim dialect.

A few examples of Siyin (Sizang) dialect, compared to Tedim(Kamhau) dialect:

English	Siyin (Sizang)	Tedim
How are you?	Na dam le? / Dam maw?"Dam ni?	Nang dam maw?
Where are you going?	Ko'ng(koi-sung) pai tu ni?	Ko'h(koi-ah) pai ding na?
What are you doing?	Bang vawt ni?	Bang hih na?
Have you eaten?	An ne zo ni?	An ne khin maw?'An ne zo maw?"

The root of the people called Sizang and Vaiphei

The descendants of Pu Zahong are to be found almost every where in the northern Chin State in Burma, in Churachandpur, Chandel and Sadar hills area of Manipur State and also in Mizoram State of the Union of India.

In Mizoram we find many of Pu Zahmuaka's descendants such as the Zadeng (including the Pachuau), Palian, Thangluah, Thangur {Chonglul and Sailo (including Chengkual)}, Rivung, and Rokhum. Pu Zahmuaka is descended from Pu Boklua Suantak who is also known as Sisinga or Sizanga. Boklua's father, Ngengu (Nenu) was the founder of Lophei village in Siyin valley of Chin State. Ngengu is the eldest son of Pu Suantak, who himself is descended from Pu Vaiphei or Pu Zahong. The Siyin regarded Pu Thuantak as the direct progenitor of the Siyin and Vaiphei. The Siyin/Vaiphei are also referred to as Thaute, Siyin, Thuantak etc.

According to Siyin (Sizang) oral records, Pu Zahong had three sons viz. Tonhing (or Thanhing/Chonhring/Tonring) progenitor of the Buite or Berhvate (progenitor of the Jomsing, Thuksuang, Faihriem, Khawlhring, Vangsia or Vangchhia etc.), Chothes (Purum), Hoinge, Khaute {progenitor of the Dulian (Duhlians), Khuanghaus, Neisials (Neihsial), Neithams, Vangluas, etc.}, Sektak (progenitor of the Sektak, Siahtak, Siahliap, etc.) and Suantak/Thuantak {progenitor of the Sailos, Zadengs, Sizangs, Neiluts (Thanglet, Baite, Hansing, Luangte, Puakpawl, Lutngul, Saivung, Thianglal, Suante, Dopmul, etc.), Ngawns, Thangkhals etc.).

According to one theory, the descendants of Pu Zahong/Zahang (Nuaimang), after emerging out from the bowels of the earth, settled themselves in a place called "Khawsak Vaiphei" or "Khawvaiphei" meaning "Village of the Vaiphei". It was believed to have been named after their progenitor "Vaiphei", considered to have been the son of Zahong, from whom they claimed their descent. Some historians are of the opinion that "Vaiphei", the son of Zahong, might be named after Takvai or Tavai, the progenitor of the Manlun, Mantuang (Manchong), Hangvung, Matmang and Mangson. In short, Vaiphei might have been named after the progenitor of the Yo Chieftain clan i.e. Takvai-Vaiphei.

From Khawsak Vaiphei or Khawvaiphei, the Hualngo-Hualhang (Chhakchuak)(or descendants of Lunglum) were believed to be the first to moved out among the Vaipheis and they acquired the name "Saksuak" or "Chhakchuak" literally meaning "coming out from Sak or Khawsak". They (Chhakchuak) founded two settlement namely "Seipui" and "Khawkawk". They came to be known as the Luseis or Lushai.

From Khawsak Vaiphei or Khawvaiphei, Ngengu and Daitong (probably Sattong), the sons of Neithang/Neizang (from the second wife of Suantak, Venghoi) moved away and founded the village "Suantak Zang" meaning "Suantak's Plain". Then the Neiluts ( from the first wife of Suantak, Tualchin) too moved away from Khawvaiphei and settled at Saizang and from there they moved to Chiimnuai and from there moved back to Ngatan. From Ngatan, they moved to Sialpam and from there found the village "Phaiza" meaning "Valley of hundred or many". The Neiluts including the Tomsois and Thangsois (Baites, Luangte, etc.) were believed to have settled in and around Phaiza for a very long time. From there, the Baites moved on and found Bongnoi and then from there founded another village "Nathel" from where they spread to various parts of Zo Country. A well known Baite village in Myanmar is the Sadih (Sachih). According to Suantak sources, Neilut is believed to have two brothers other than Neithang. Neichal (progenitor of the Pulamte) and Tukgek (progenitor of the Gangte).

Suankai Suante from Neilut clan founded the Kalzang settlement from Phaipi (a village of the great Chief Hangsum Buansing, his maternal uncle) and become its chief. From him are descended the Luahlang, Suanman, Suanzong, Manghil etc.

From Phaiza, the Thanglet moved to Hiangpek, the Lutngul to Haimual and the Hansing to Sialkal. From Phaiza, a section of the Neiluts (i.e. the Dopmuls or the descendents of Lamkeng) moved to Haidawi. From Haidawi, Kunhen Suantak was said to have founded the Tualmu settlement.

From Phaiza, the descendants of Tukgeks moved away and founded the Gawng valley (later "Gawng" became "Gang") and from there acquired the name "Gangte". Tukgek or Gangtepu had three sons and they are Thanglun (or Nunghei/Nunhei. The Mates are included under the Thanglun fold), Hilkheng (Teklah) and Thangzom. The Thangzoms who are the youngest among the Gangtes are numerically the largest. From Gawng (Gang), they moved to "Anpak" and "Letchong". From there they found another village "Zungpi". Then they founded another village "Laitui". A section of them also settled at Vangteh (a village of the Guites/Paites). From there, they are said to moved to the present Mizoram state before moving into Manipur.

From Khawvaiphei, the Thangniang clan moved to a village called "Sipi". From there a section of them moved to "Leilum" and another to "Thangkhal". The Siahliap-Siahtak brothers are believed to be closest to the Thangniang clan. Some believed that the Thangniangs are also closely related to the Thangngen, Thangngeu and Thangom clans found in the Chin Hills.

The last to moved out of Khawvaiphei were the Phulums (probably same as Purum/Pulum) family. After the destruction of Khawvaiphei, the Phulums group moved on and found the "Changzal" village. From there the Buite branch moved to "Tualkot" and from there a section of them moved to "Saiva". The Khautes including the Dulian (Duhlian) and the Galte(Ralte) moved to "Khawzim" and "Khawhreng" and from there the Galtes moved to Suainuai (or Saimun) and a section of them moved to Lenchau (Innbuk). From Khawzim, the Neihsials of the Vangngem branch moved on and founded the "Sialthah", "Tuithang" and "Nuam" settlements. The Chiljang of the Vangngem too moved away and found the "Tuizum" settlement. The Vanglua branch (Chontung, Chonmang, Chonlu, Ellu, Hatlei, Hatlang, Hatzaw, Hatziam, etc.) moved to Changkut, Tedim, Phaiza, etc. From Khawzim, the Neithams moved to "Thalmual". The Khuanghau of Vangsa branch founded the "Khawngen" village. Khuanghau had one younger brother Khuangdal. The Tinvuks( Vukmang, Mangtong and Jaktong) of Vangsa branch founded the "Vawngzang", "Zoupi" and "Khawbual" settlement. The Phulum groups of the Vaipheis also founded many settlements in Mizoram such as Champhai, Vangkal, Puilou, Neitham, Zawlngak, Siallam (now known as Selam) etc. From Khuanghau, the Tualtungs and the Zathangs are descended. From Zathang, according to their oral traditions, the Ngentungnung (Tungnungs) and the Nanchals/Hrangchals are descended. The Tungnung founded the "Tualzang" village while the Tungdim (from Nanchals) founded the "Gelzang" Village. A section of the Vaipheis after the destruction of many of their Villages/ Settlements in the Chin Hills-Mizo hills moved into Manipur and settled at first at Chothemunpi. From there to Chongkhozou and then Maite and from there spread to other parts of the Manipur Hills.

According to the Gangte sources, Zahong's father was Songza and Zahong's sons were Hangtak and Hangba. Hangtak had two sons viz. Suanmang and Suanthang. According to them, Suanmang was the progenitor of the Vaipheis while Suanthang was the progenitor of the Pois and the Gangtes.

According to another version, Zahong's father was Sungmang and Sungmang's father was Songthu. And Zahong was regarded as the common progenitor of the Guites/Lamjangs (Paites), the Thangpis (progenitor of the Dongel, Thados, etc.) and the Sattongs or Nuaimangpa (progenitor of the Vaipheis including the Gangtes) while Hangmi( Progenitor of Lupho, Lupheng and Misao) was the Bepa of Songthu and he represent separate family and genealogy lineage from Songthu.

According to one theory, Vanthang has one son Zahang, Zahang's son was Zahong. Zahong had five sons and they are Thailo ( No issue), Hangba (progenitor of the Tungnung, Tunglut etc.), Hangsuan (progenitor of the Khaute, Neitham etc.), Hangtak (progenitor of the Baite, Sailo, Suantak or Sizang, Neilut, Gangte,etc.

And according to Sizang elders, Pu Suantak (Thuantak) had four sons viz. Ngengu, Neihlut, Daitawng and Vanglok from whom are descended the clans of the Sizang and Vaiphei.

(1) Ngengu -

(i)Lamhtam- Batkai(Kiimlel and Seam Muang), Neizalh (Thatmun & Thatlang), Liimtuang (Khansiing, Mangson & Tuangthang) etc.

(ii)Boklua/Sihsing - Zahmuak ( Zadeng, Palian, Thangluah, Rivung, Rokhum, Sailo (Chengkual) and Chawnglul ) and Nge Ngawn ( progenitor of the Ngawn tribe).

(iii)Phiamphu -

(iv) Tungnung- Ngenthang, Nitson, Daijang etc.

(v) Phucil/ Phuthil/ Phuthir-

(vi)Nantal/ Hangtal/ Hrangchal -Tunglut, Tungdim and Tungte ( Laiasung, Darasung etc.).

(2) Neihlut -

(i) Thanglet- Changtui etc.

(ii)Leisel

(iii)Thangsoi- Khuakuan/Baite [Paute, Meihlai, Thangthem, Phungkhol, Kholsong (Chongzang), Kholngul, Kholphut(Thangkon), Thenchuang, Thangsei, Singngul, Ngulmun, Senlhung, Langtho] and Luangte

(iv)Lutngul-

(v)Hansing-

(vi)Saivung-

(vii)Puakpawl-

(viii)Thanggo - Genzo (Khupmu and Suante[ Suanman, Suanzong, Luahlang, Manghil, Doson, etc.])

(ix)Neikeng/Lamkeng/Suanzo - Muamul/Dopmul ( Mulpi, Hanthual, Hawlhang, Kunhen and Guizo)

(3) Daitawng -

(i) Nunzong- Tuakon etc.

(ii)Hinnung- Hinzong, Haunam etc.

(iii)Namzo- Hinnam etc.

(iv)Sukzo,

(vi)Zasuan, etc.

(4)Vanglok -

(i)Hangsawk - Tonsung, etc.

(ii)Thuklai - Lunmun, Suumniang, Tuanuam, Zamang, and Zangkaai.

(iii)Limkhai - Sitzom, Tunawi, Tunmang, Ngo Thua, TunSeal, etc.

However, contrary to the Siyin sources, the Baites (Paute, Meihlai etc.) though they didn't deny their descent from Pu Vaiphei, regarded themselves as a senior or elder brother to Pu Suantak and not descended from him.

According to some of the Vaiphei elders, from Pu Zahong, Pu Vaiphei and Pu Thado are being descended. And Pu Vaiphei had one son Honglian, and from whom are descended the three brothers- Phulum, Lianlum and Lunglum.

1.'Phulum or Vanglua or Changzal family-

(I)KHAUTE -

(1)Vangsa -

i).Gokhup - (Khuanghau {Tualtung, Tungnung, Tungdim & Tunglut & Tungte} and Khuangdal)

ii).Tinvuk - Vukmang (Ngulvung & Thavuk), Mangtong & Zaktong.

iii). Hoinge - Notlut, Chungsel, Lutthang & Songhil

(2)Ralte -

Colney or Kawlni- Chalbok ( Kawlvom, Chalchiang, Chalsawp, Chaltum, etc.) and Doubul (Renghang, Rengsi, Bungsut,etc.)

Siakeng-Engkai, Engkhung, Siakhang, Haizang, Chongtual, etc.

Khelte-Hmaimawk, Lutmang, Singlu, Sierchuang, Thatsing, Vankeu, Vohang, Vohlu, Zahlei & Zaucha and

Lelhchhun- Chhunthang, Chhiarkim, Haudim etc.

(3)Vangluah -

i).Sentong/Senchong-

a) Chonlu/ Tonlu - Chontung, Chonlu, Chonlut & Chonmang or Tonmang(Nakal & Keusel)], Phaltual etc.

b) Chonning/Tonning - Buite, Neitham and Singphun

c) Chonhau /Tonhau-

d) Chonthang/Tonthang -

ii). Ngeknguk/ Bawklu-

a).Ellu - Selut, Kemtong, Zamang & Pabawm,

b).Elphuak - Hatlei, Khantun, Hatlang {[ 1. Matthang and 2. Langel (Hawgou, Hawziam, Hillai & Lusing)]}, Hatzaw & Hatziam.

c).Dulian/ Duhlian- Chinmang, Paulut, Khala, Nunga and Keivom

()Vangngem -

a)Neihsial-

i) Haulai, ii) Lengen, iii) Thaning, iv) Thagen, v) Nunthuk or Nungthut, vi) Thutlai, vii) Thutnel, viii) Aikho, ix) Engtheng, x) Tualkhen, xi) Singto, xii) Dawlbak, xiii) Banlawng, xiv) Tungling, xv) Thaling, xvi) Singlut or Singhil & xvii) Douel (Zawngbe),

b)Chilzang/ Chulzang-

2.Lianlum Zahong family-

Pu Lianlum had two sons viz. Sattong and Thanglun from whom are descended the following clan:

(I)SATTONG -

(i) Baite-

(ii)Suantak - Sailo, Thangluah, Zadeng, Palian, Rivung, Ringur, Chengkual, Ngawn, Neilut (Suante, Suanzong, Suanman, Khupmu, Leisel, Hansing, Dopmul etc.)},

(ii)Daitong - Hinnung, Nunzong etc.

(iii)Thangniang,

(iv)Phiamphu etc. and

(II) THANGLUN family.

3. Lunglum Zahong family-

The Vaipheis regarded that from Pu Lunglum are descended both Sunthla (progenitor of the Poi) and Thlapa (progenitor of the Chhakchuak or Hualngo/Hualhang or Lusei proper). Sunthla is said to have two sons viz. Hranglung and Hringlum from whom are descended all the tribes of the Pois. From Thlapa are descended the Tochhawng, Vangchhawng, Chawngte, Chhangte, Hnamte, Chuaungo, Chuauhang, Hualngo, Hualhang, Hualnam, Lunkhua etc.

However, there is no mention of Lianlum or Lunglum in the Sizang and Poi sources.

Moreover there are some among the Vanglua sub-fold who traced their genealogy from Nivang, the son of Guite. However, it is established that the Vaipheis are descended from a man called 'Vanthang'.

Some of the sub-clans of the Vaiphei or descendants of Pu Zahong such as the Ngengu (Sailo, Thangluah, etc.), Khaute [Ralte, Dulian (Duhlian), Nungate, Keivom, Tungnung, Tunglut, Tungdim/Lhungdim), Hatzaw, Hatlang etc.], Khauza ( Buite, Faihriam, Khawlhring, Thuksuang, Khiangte etc.) are found to be within the fold of other Zo tribes. Strangely, a section of the Chungnungs (Tungnung), Tualtung/Toltungs (Khuanghau) and the Leisels are found to be within the Koireng tribe who are considered to be one of the earliest Chin-Kuki group to migrate to Manipur.

From their original homeland, Siyin valley, the Vaiphei wandered across the Tedim - Tonzang area and finally settled in Saikal area of present day Mizoram and Churachandpur district and other districts of Manipur. At present the Vaiphei are over thirty thousand in population, outnumbering their brothers who remained in Sizang Valley. The Vaiphei and the Sizang are actually one people separated by international boundaries. They are descended from Pu Zahong (NuaiMangpa), regarded by many historians as the Chief of the legendary Chiimnuai, the Garden of Eden of the Zo people.

Siyin

In literature one comes across the name Siyin because the British colonial officers employed Burmese people, who have social intercourse with the Sizang in the olden days, as interpreters and the word Sizang was corrupted by these interpreters into Siyin. Hence, the British adopted the name Siyin for the Sizang. However the term Siyin is official and Sizang is local terminology

External links

• Siyin Youth Association
• Siyin Online Magazine