Thantlang

Thantlang ‹See Tfd›ထန်တလန်မြို့ Thlantlang
Country:	Burma
Division:	Chin State
District:	Falam District
Township:	Htantlang Township
Time zone	UTC+6.30 (MST)

Thantlang (Template:Lang-my); also Thlantlang, Htantlang in Burmese transliteration) is a town and the administrative center of Thantlang Township in Chin State, western Burma (known as Myanmar).

Name

Than Tlang was formerly known as Thlan Tlang which means " Cemetery Hill" as there were many cemeteries at the west part of the town. However, since many educated people lost their lives in the early years, the people of Thlan Tlang ascribed the early demise of many educated people on the name being called Thlan Tlang as a jinx. Therefore Township People Council in 1983 changed Thlan Tlang into Than Tlang which means " Famous Hill" which remains as it is until today. There are roughly 7000 populations in Than Tlang town by 2010. Than Tlang is located just 20 miles from Chin State capital, Hakha.

Than Tlang township is made up of over 80 villages. The township is also surrounded by 9 small regions knowns as Khualhring region, Vanzang region, Zahnak region, Bual region, Vailam region, Zophei region, Bawipa Hill region, Lautu region and Mara region. Than Tlang town is one of the most developed township within Chin State. Even though there are many different dialects from the 9 regional groups of people, all of them understands each other well like one family. Not only from within Chin State but in the entire Myanmar, famous singers like Sung Tin Par and Dawt Hlei Hniang who are well known are from Zophei and Vanzang region respectively.

Than Tlang town is sanwiched between Vuichip and Marau mountains and fed by two beautiful river; Buhva from east and Lahva from west. There are some paddfields at the river bank of Lahva ploughed by local farmers in June and harvested in end of October every year.

Interesting Places

There are many interesting places to visit within Than Tlang township. There are many rocky mountains such as Lung Ding rock in Vanzang region, Ma E Pi mountain in Zophei region. Many historical places are still maintained by local villagers, notably a legendary well called Siapanglai in Bawipa region. Than Tlang is governmental administrative location from where all villages of the 9 regions are officially administered. Famous river called Kaladan in Burma is originally built up from a river called Timit which flows between Hakha town and Than Tlang and swerved through the north of Than Tlang into Mizoram State of India and re-emerged in Paletwah town of Chin State and merged into the sea called bay of Bengal. Than Tlang township borders with India from Mizoram State demarcation line.

The people of Than Tlang are known notably also as the most joking people within Chin State as most of the people from Than Tlang are fun-loving people. There are couple of churches in Than Tlang town but most of them are Protestant Christians although there are handful of Catholic Christian in the town but no Buddhists. The cunning Burmese rulers tried many way to bring Buddhism into Chin State by persuading the poorer Chin villagers to get education and shelter but in fact cheated them just to become Buddhist including some people in Than Tlang area.

Centenary Cross

In April 1999 the People of Than Tlang with the support of the entire Chin population erected Wooden Cross on Vuichip Mountain to commemorate the anniversary of one hundred year of Chin People as Protestant Christian. However the military not only prevented them from commemorating the anniversary but bulldozed the cross to the ground and imprisoned several pastors and those who protested against the regime for destroying the cross. However, the Burmese regime erected a pagoda on the north hilltop of Than Tlang town where a Burmese monk stayed near the pagoda. However, by 2011, many people in Than Tlang are planning to build " Prayer House" on Vuichip mountain so that all Christians can pray and observe the fasting there freely.

Education

Literacy rate of people from Than Tlang are arguably one of the three highest rate within Chin State among people from Tedim township and Falam Township. After 2000, there are some private tuition schools in Than Tlang which helped many young students into more successful passing rate in governmental High School. Elder people in Than Tlang are staunch supporters of education for young generation. Many of local developments were done through local community labour as government never support rural and urban development. Most of the nine regions are not reachable with cars since there are no motor roads built by government except locally built roads in some parts. Many of the villagers travel by walking up to three days to reach Than Tlang town in order to do shopping in the town.

Festival

Chin National Day ( every February 20 which is now banned by the Burmese regime ) and Easter Sunday known locally as "Tho puai" is very exciting festival in winter and summer. Annual football tounament competed by Nine regional groups ( known as Taungkyaw Bawlone pwe in Burmese ) held in every rainy season is the most exciting sport festival in Than Tlang town. Christmas is alway feasted in the grandest fete every year. Depending upon the two small rivers, locals grow some vegetables mostly cabbages, mustards, garlics, onions etc. which produce only enough for grower families but not reliable by all people in the town.

External links

• "Tlantlang Google Satellite Map" Maplandia.com