Chin State

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
ခ္ယင္‌းပ္ရည္‌နယ္‌
Chin State

(MLCTS: kyang: pranynai)
Capital Hakha
Region Western
Area 36,018 km²
Population 473,000 (538,000 in 2005)
Ethnicities Chin, Bamar
Religions Christianity, Buddhism

Chin State is a state of Myanmar. Its capital is Hakha.

There are 14 townships in the Chin State: Cikha, Hakha, Falam, Kanpalet, Matupi, Rezua, Mindat, Paletwa, Rihkhuadar, Thantlang, Teddim, Tuithang and Tonzang.

[edit] Demographics

The Chin are made up of many sub-groups which although historically related now speak divergent languages and have different cultural and historical identities. The name Chin seems to be an exonym given by the Burmese and is of unclear origin - although 'basket' and 'friend' are the best contenders. These names are justified respectively by the fact that Chin are known for their weaving skills and have been in trade relations with the lowlands for many years.

Recently some Chin groups have claimed that their autonym 'Zo' is the indigenous name for all Chin. Each tribe has its own name, e.g. Asho, Laizo, Zyou, Mizo, Zomi, K'cho etc. These terms could well be cognates, but each has its own pronunciation and sometimes its own meaning. Because of this it seems difficult to chose the particular pronunciation of one language to represent all of them.

The word 'Salai' is used for the first name of every Chin men, and 'Mai' for women.

The Chin form the majority of Chin State. Owing to missionaries' work over the last hundred years, a great deal of the population now identifies itself as Christian. A sizeable minority however adheres to animist beliefs and Theravada Buddhism.

For more cultural information about the Chin see: F.K. Lehman. 1963. 'The Structure of Chin Society;: A Tribal People of Burma Adapted to a Non-Western Civilization.' University of Illinois Press.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Incubator
  This Myanmar location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Subdivisions of Myanmar Flag of Myanmar
States: Chin | Kachin | Kayah | Kayin | Mon | Rakhine | Shan
Divisions: Ayeyarwady | Bago | Magway | Mandalay | Sagaing | Tanintharyi | Yangon
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../c/h/i/Chin_State_dd72.html"