History of the Hmars in North East India’ book review

Prof Lal Dena

One of the few Hmar intellectuals who combines in him discipleship and scholarship is the Reverend Dr Hrilrokhum Thiek, a retired pastor who is now settling at Muolhoi, Halflong. His new book on the History of the Hmars in North East India (with special reference to Assam) is indeed a welcome addition to the existing but sketchy published materials on the Hmar tribe who are found today in different parts of North East India. The book is divided into 18 chapters which covers not only the Hmars but also the allied tribes with whom Hmars have close contact throughout the concerned historical period.

The author begins with a brief comment on the Hmar identity and their inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes of India in 1956. Though thematically incoherent, his first chapter on the classification of Hmars into clans and sub-clans, genealogy of Hmar Vaipheis of Mizoram, types of Hmar dwelling houses and the famous Hmar poets throughout  the ages is quite illuminating. His reference to the close cultural and linguistic affinities of the ethnic minorities in Szechwan province, China with Hmars and other allied tribes of North East India tends to substantiate the theory of Sinlung as the original home of Zo descents.

Dr H.Thiek has also discussed the linguistic affinities of Kuki-Chins of Tibeto-Burmans by categorising them into four groups: dialects with ‘R’; dialects without ‘R’; dialects without ‘T’ (tri); and dialects without ‘F’ which are taken from Zofate Chanchin, Hualngo Literature and Cultural Association, Myanmar, 1955.
One significant development in the history of Hmar was the evolution of chieftainship which became the supreme authority of any village administration. Soon after the Hmar ancestors left Myanmar, a kind of an overall institution of kingship had emerged under the able leadership of Chawnhmang who was popularly known as Reng (raja). Here, the author has given us a lot of new information particularly on the last days of Chawnhmang and the events that led to the disintegration among the Hmar chiefs which paved the way for the rise of more powerful Pawi and Sailo chiefs.

To prove and substantiate beyond doubt that Hmars were one of the earliest settlers of Mizoram, the author has given a long list of standing villages established by the Hmar mostly on clan basis. Soon after their settlement in Mizoram, there began inter-clan or inter-tribal wars which encouraged the more united tribes to invade and force them out of their settlements. The author’s analysis of the exodus of Hmars from Mizoram in different batches, his reference to the genealogies of some leading Hmar clans like Lungtau, Khawbung, Leiri, Faihriem and their subsequent settlement in North and North Cachar Hills has given a lot of historical insights hitherto uncovered so far.

The author discusses the pioneering role of the Hmars in Cachar and North Cachar Hills in their search for a separate political identity for the Hmars by forming a political organisation like Hmar Mongolian Federation at the dawn of India’s independence as also their commendable contributions in bringing political consciousness amongst the hill people around them. As a matter of fact, the Hmar elites had dominated the district administration of N.C.Hills for a few decades following India’s independence and their contributions towards the well round development and welfare of the Hmar people must not be left unnoticed.
The development of the Hmar language and the history of Hmar Literature Society of Assam and the author’ role in all these movements are highlighted in chapter XII. The inclusion of Hmar MIL at the degree level both in the two central universities of Manipur, 2003 and Assam, 2010 is indeed a great landmark in the history of Hmar people as a whole.
In the chapter on Hmar-Kuki Conflict, 1960 and Hmar-Dimasa conflict, 2003-2004, Dr Thiek has provided us a detail background of the two conflicts.  In his assessment of the latter conflict, he has highlighted the role of Hmar Pastors’ Peace Forum and the affected Hmar villages in detail. It is an eye witness and balanced account free from unbiased remarks.

To me, the main weight of the book lies on the last five chapters dealing with manners and customs, religion, festival, amusements, dresses, ornaments, and the institution of Zawlbuk, each of which deserves a separate comprehensive study. We are indeed lucky that we are given here at least a broad framework for future scholars to pursue more in-depth studies into these subjects.

Before I conclude, I would like to mention that Pu Hrilrokhum and I have something in common in writing the history of Hmars. In his conclusion of the Hmar-Kuki Conflict, 1960 under pages 248-249, he has quoted my book (In Search of Identity: Hmars of North East India, published in New Delhi, 2008, pages 109-101) ad verbatim for which he has duly acknowledged me. Again in his discussion on the Hmar Mongolian Federation, pages 198-201, he has quoted my book (cited above) under pages 128-129 and 216-217. The original press-hand out of the Hmar Mongolian Federation is still with me. As there are many mistakes in it, I reedited it and put it in the Appendix I in my book under pages 215-217.

From a very well known church leader, writer, theologian, poet and scholar like Dr Reverend Hrilrokhum Thiek, we expect at least one chapter on the impact of Christianity on Hmar society. With his sound theological background and his long experience as church leader, he is the right person to do so.
Whatever may be, Pu Hrilrokhum has written the book under review in a lucid and flawless English with some rare photos and maps in it. His translation of Fahreltawk Lam Hla in English and his song Zaleng Kan Lawm are so brilliant that it is still not too late to honour him at least for these two extraordinary literary pieces. The book is priced at Rs.280/- only and it is a must-read book for those interested in the history of the tribe.