Mizoram football fan dies in Silchar

By Timothy Z. Zote

What is MANMASI? As is all known, the term is the name of the ancestor of the Chin, Kuki, Mizo, Zomi, Zo ethnic group.

A Sikpui Lung (Sikpui Stone) at Muolvaiphei in Tuithraphai (Churachandpur), Manipur.

In the first theory, Manmasi has Jewish relationship, according to some researchers. In February 2003 Mr. Isaac L. Hmar son of Professor Lal Dena and Isaac Thangjom has collected DNA samples from selected Hmar, Kom, Kuki of Manipur, Zote and Huolngo clans of Mizoram under supervision of Professor Lal Dena.

The DNA samples were tested at laboratory of the Jewish Genetic Project, Haifa, Israel. The preliminary test has shown that they were within the Tibeto- Burman parameters. However , the finding of the DNA test by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Culcutta indicated that a few Kuki –Mizo DNA samples returned the unique heliotype found in the Jewish community in Uzbekistan . Now as it appears, the theory of the Jewish connection with the Hmars is like myth, because it cannot lack the test of historical scrutiny. There are no references – direct or indirect, to support the evidence of subsequent migration from the Middle East to China and Myanmar to India.

Thought there are no documents in written form in connection with the Jewish, there are similarities in the religious sacrificial rites and practices of the pre- Christian Hmars, and Jews in Biblical times. For example , the altar of the Hmars in the pre Christian era had four corners built from virgin stones not shaped by human hands with implements and the priest sprinkled the blood of the sacrificed animal on the floor and corners of the altar . Hmar tradition also maintains that their first ancestor named Manmasi. Wherever they moved and settled, they used to say that they were the descendents of Manmasi. Supporters of the first view suggests that Manmasi, perhaps be a corrupted form of Manasse, elder son of Joseph as seen in the Old Testament.

There are references in Hmar folk songs and culture that tends to support this theory. That, the oldest festivals of the Hmars is called SIKPUI KUT ( Winter festival or harvesting Festival) and the opening song called Sikpui Hlapui for this important occasion occupies such a sacred place that the festival could start only after the song with due solemnity and rapt attention. Let us cite the text of the song in Hmar and its English rendering:

In Hmar

“Sikpui inthang kan ur laia,
Chang tuipui aw, senma hrili kang intan.
Ke ra lawn a, ka lei do aw
Sunah sum ang, zanah mei lawn invak e.
An tur a sa, thlu a ruol aw,
Inphawsiel le in ral feite zuong thaw ro.
Sunra zula, ka leido aw,
Ke ra lawn a,meisum ang lawn invak e
Sun ra zula, ka leido aw,
Laimi sa ang chang tuipuiin lem zova.
A varuol aw la t ache,
Suonglung chunga tuizuongput kha la ta che.”

In English

“While we are preparing for the Sikpui festival,
The big red sea becomes divided.
As we march forward fighting our foes.
We are being led by a cloud during day
And by a pillar of fire during night.
Our enemies, o ye folks, are thick with fury,
Come out with your shields and spears.
Fighting our foes all day, we march along
As cloud-fire goes afore.
The enemies we fight all day, the big sea
Swallowed them like beasts.
Collect the quails, and fetch the water
That springs out of the rock”

The Sikpui Hla is self -explanatory and vividly refers to the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, and the events that followed before and after they crossed the red sea. The Hmar continued to celebrate this festival even after they had settled in different parts of north East India and traces of sacred stone slabs used in these celebrations can be seen in Manipur ,Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura and Asom till today. This has led some local scholars and even Jewish rabbinical theologians in Israel to believe that the Kuki- Mizo ,Chin groups perhaps be one of the lost tribes of Israel. Therefore, more than two thousand Kuki- Mizos in Manipur and Mizoram have already migrated to Israel in recent times.

In other theory
Mrs Khawli (Varte) a 91 years old (in 2009) told me that the term Manmasi, is the name of our ancestor. “when I was still a child ,I used to asked for his mercy in times of fear/danger caused by the natural calamity like Earth quake, Storm wind. When such thing did occur I used to chant and ring the bell”.

In Hmar
“Manmasi nauhai kan la dam ie,
Zangai zangai”

In English
“We the children of Manmasi are still alive,
Have mercy, have mercy”

My father Hrangthansei Zote, who was 89 years old (in 2008), told that he also used to chant the same words.
It is very common nowadays and many researchers have accepted that Manmasi as their ancestor. However, I am not sure that every community of Zo ethnic groups accepted or not. Particularly the Hmars had accepted (Manmasi) as ancestor. Written approved evident can be clearly seen in Hmar Inpui ( Hmar Suprem House) Constitution, 2003 edition, preamble in the first sentence written “ keini Hmar (Manmasi Thlahai) “ We, the Hmar (the descendant of Manmasi) In the constitution Article 1 clause (2) (a) Manmasi thla po po keikhawm” to integrate all the descendants of Manmasi”.

As far as personal knowledge is concerned, I have compiled a Book entitled The Manmasi Year Book Vol. I & II. It has been published in Bi-lingual, and includes all the Zo ethnic groups like Paite, Simte, Luhsai, Gangte, Vaiphei, Kuki, Biete, Pawi, Chin, Kom, Hrangkhawl, Halam etc. It also incorporates their history, political, religion, social and culture. I have not received any complaint or objection regarding the Manmasi as our ancestor even today. On 24 Febreary 2010, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) 23rd Raising Day was observed at Mongbung, under Sangaikot, TD Block, Churachandpur on this occasion PS. Haokip, President (KNO) on greetings Message head line includes the name Manmasi
“23rd KNO Raising Day”
Camp Saslem, Mongbung
Manmasi, 24 February 2010
at the bottom part of his greetings massage he was written again
PS. Haokip,
President, Kuki National Organisation (KNO)
Manmasi.

Conclusion: The word Manmasi is commonly used in Hmar community, but not actually claim as the Lost Tribe of Israel in the name of Hmar organization. While some Hmar researcher may claim. In 1991 Mrs Pi Zaithanchhungi of Aizawl wrote a book entitle “Israel Mizo Identity” was published and sold on the occasion of Ten Lost Tribe Exhibition , Tel Aviv, Israel. At the same time, Journalists and Rabbis on Judaism contacted to study that book. After few years back on March 30, 2005 the Rabbinical Court accepted that Mizo are one of the Lost Tribe of Israel. So many Mizo migrated to Israel, by based on the Hmar Sikpui Hla and religion. Every reader’s co-operation and encouragement in this regard is highly solicited.

References :
1. In search of Identity Hmars of North East India by Lal Dena.
2. Manmai Year Book Vol I & II Edited by Timothy Z. Zote
3. Manmasi descendants by Edited by Timothy Z. Zote
4. Hmar Hnam Damna Dingin edited by Timothy Z. Zote
5. Hmar Folk tales by Prof. Lal Dena.
6. Hmar Chronicles by J. Batlien
7. Mizo Israel by P.C. Biaksiama
8. BBC on 31:03:2005
9. Sangai Express Daily 24:08:2005 etc.

Personal contact :
1. Pi Zaithanchhungi and her husband Pu Tluanga, Aizawl with her document.
2. H. V. Vara, Sielmat,
3. Elder Hrangthansei Zote 89 year old (in 2008), Lamka
4. Khawli varte Ngurte 91 old in 2009
5. Rev. H.V.Sunga of Asom, Hmarkhawlien.
6. Rev. Tara of Tripura
6. Rev. Tiala of Myanmar, Tahan
7. Dr. Z. Z. Lien Reader, Lamka Govt. College.
8. Dr. Rosiem Pudaite, Reader, Churachandpur Govt college.
9. Dr. H. H. Mate President, Research Laboratory for conservation of (Manmasi), Chin, Kuki, Mizo Cultural properties, Imphal.
10. James L. Tova Hmar, President, Manmasi Research Department, Under Hmar Inpui, Churahcnadpur.
11. Pu Lalchhanhima Sailo, President, Chhinlung Israel People Convention, Aizawl.
12. Rev. T. Khuma, Churachandpur
13. Rev. (Dr) T. Lunkim of Imphal.
14. Isaac L. Hmar of Imphal, Manipur University Campus.
15. Pu Thangsawihmang Writer, Rengkai
16. Pu Dawnga of Leisang, Churachandpur etc.