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{{ | {{Short description|Ethnic group of India and Myanmar}} | ||
{{Distinguish|text=the [[Marra people]] of Australia}} | {{Distinguish|text=the [[Marra people]] of Australia}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}} | {{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}} | ||
{{Infobox ethnic group | |||
| group = Mara people (Lakher) | |||
| image = Mara Dress or Chyna poh.jpg | |||
| image_caption = | |||
| total = 42,885<ref>{{cite 2011 census of India | id = 43014 | name = Mizoram | access-date = 4 October 2024 }}</ref> | |||
| total_ref = | |||
| total_year = 2011 | |||
| popplace = {{flag|India}} ([[Mizoram]]) {{br}} {{flag|Myanmar}} ([[Chin State]]) | |||
| languages = {{hlist|[[Mara language|Mara]]|[[Maraic languages]]|[[Mizo language|Mizo]]|[[Burmese language|Burmese]]}} | |||
| religions =[[File:Christian cross.svg|12px]] [[Christianity]]<ref>Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Population Census 2011. Table ST-14: Scheduled tribe population by religious community (State/UT level), Mizoram - 2011</ref> | |||
| related = | |||
| footnotes = | |||
}} | |||
The '''Mara''' ({{Langx|mrh|Mara}}, {{IPA|mrh|mərà|pron}}; {{Langx|my|မရာ}}, {{IPA|my|mərà|pron}}), also historically known as ''Lakher'', are an ethnic group native to [[Mizoram]], [[India]], and [[Chin State]], [[Myanmar]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Zohra |first=K. |title=An Introductory Notes to Mara District of South Mizoram, India |publisher= |year= |location= |language=English }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=June 2021}} | |||
== Ethnonyms == | |||
While the community refers to themselves as '''Mara''', various exonyms have been used by neighboring tribes and colonial authorities. The [[Lusei people|Lushei]] referred to them as ''Lakher''. Early British records called them ''Shendu'' before adopting the Lushei term.<ref>{{cite book |last=Shakespear |first=John |date=1912 |title=The Lushei Kuki Clans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SNUKAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA2 |location=London |publisher=Macmillan and Company, limited |page=213}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Parry |first1=N.E |last2=Hutton |first2=J.E |date=1932 |title=The Lakhers |url=https://ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu/cultures/ar20/documents/001 |location=London |publisher=Macmillan & Co, Limited |page=1}}</ref> They were also called "Yo" (Zo) by the British, presumably learned from the Lai. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Tuck |first=H. N. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.41732 |title=The Chin Hills Vol. 1 |date=1896}}</ref> | |||
== Geography == | |||
Maraland is divided between India and Myanmar, straddling the international border. | |||
=== West Maraland === | |||
West Maraland lies in [[Mizoram]], India. It constitutes a distinct administrative region with its own [[Siaha district]] and enjoys autonomy through the [[Mara Autonomous District Council]].{{cn|date=November 2025}} | |||
=== East Maraland === | |||
East Maraland is located in [[Chin State]], Myanmar. It is divided into two main districts: [[Thantlang Township|Thantlang District]] (locally known as "Chha Mara") and [[Matupi Township|Matupi District]] ("Fei Mara").{{cn|date=November 2025}} | |||
==== Thantlang District ==== | |||
There are 9 Mara villages in the Thantlang District: Locheipi (Lungcawipi), Locheita (Luncawite), Ngephepi (Ngaphaipi), Ngepheta (Ngaphaite), Lodao (Inhmunpi), Meisakotla (Fartlang), Khipilu (Khuapilu), Lelai (Lailen) and La-ao (Lau).{{cn|date=November 2025}} | |||
==== Matupi District ==== | |||
There are several more Mara villages in the Matupi District, namely: Lochei (Luncawi), [[Darling, Chin State|Dawlei (Darling)]], Sabyta (Sabongte), Sabypi (Sabongpi), Lialaipi (Lailenpi), Lialaita (Lailente), Sosai (Sungsen), Poitia (Pintia), and many more.{{cn|date=November 2025}} | |||
== History == | |||
=== Early migrations === | |||
The Mara people are believed to have migrated from the north{{Clarify|reason=Where in the north? How far in the north? Name of a specific country or region would help.|date=September 2025}}, driven southward by pressure from the east. They initially settled between Leitak and Leisai, eventually crossing the [[Kaladan River]] and establishing a settlement in Phusa in the [[Lushai Hills]]. From Phusa, they moved to Beukhi, where two subgroups—the Siaha and Saiko Tlongsais—emerged, each establishing new settlements named [[Siaha]] and Serkawr, respectively. | |||
It is estimated that the Mara have been settled in the Lushai Hills for approximately 300 to 400 years.{{efn|Parry's book was published in 1924 and referred to the migration as occurring 200–300 years prior.}}{{sfn|Parry|Hutton|1932|p=2}} | |||
== Notes == | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081104104805/http://chakhei.com/ Chakhei.com: The first town portal in Maraland] | |||
* [https://www.maraland.net/mara-history/ The history of the Mara people on maraland.net] | |||
{{Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes}} | {{Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes}} | ||
{{Scheduled tribes of India}} | {{Scheduled tribes of India}} | ||
{{Hill tribes of Northeast India}} | {{Hill tribes of Northeast India}} | ||
{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
[[Category:Kuki tribes]] | [[Category:Kuki tribes]] | ||
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of India]] | [[Category:Scheduled Tribes of India]] | ||
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]] | [[Category:Ethnic groups in India]] | ||
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Myanmar]] | [[Category:Ethnic groups in Myanmar]] | ||
== See also == | |||
* [[Mara language]] | |||
* [[Mara Keyboard]] | |||
Latest revision as of 05:39, 11 March 2026
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 42,885[1] (2011) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India (Mizoram)  Myanmar (Chin State) | |
| Languages | |
| Religion | |
 Christianity[2] |
The Mara (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., mrh; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., my), also historically known as Lakher, are an ethnic group native to Mizoram, India, and Chin State, Myanmar.[3][better source needed]
Ethnonyms[edit | edit source]
While the community refers to themselves as Mara, various exonyms have been used by neighboring tribes and colonial authorities. The Lushei referred to them as Lakher. Early British records called them Shendu before adopting the Lushei term.[4][5] They were also called "Yo" (Zo) by the British, presumably learned from the Lai. [6]
Geography[edit | edit source]
Maraland is divided between India and Myanmar, straddling the international border.
West Maraland[edit | edit source]
West Maraland lies in Mizoram, India. It constitutes a distinct administrative region with its own Siaha district and enjoys autonomy through the Mara Autonomous District Council.[citation needed]
East Maraland[edit | edit source]
East Maraland is located in Chin State, Myanmar. It is divided into two main districts: Thantlang District (locally known as "Chha Mara") and Matupi District ("Fei Mara").[citation needed]
Thantlang District[edit | edit source]
There are 9 Mara villages in the Thantlang District: Locheipi (Lungcawipi), Locheita (Luncawite), Ngephepi (Ngaphaipi), Ngepheta (Ngaphaite), Lodao (Inhmunpi), Meisakotla (Fartlang), Khipilu (Khuapilu), Lelai (Lailen) and La-ao (Lau).[citation needed]
Matupi District[edit | edit source]
There are several more Mara villages in the Matupi District, namely: Lochei (Luncawi), Dawlei (Darling), Sabyta (Sabongte), Sabypi (Sabongpi), Lialaipi (Lailenpi), Lialaita (Lailente), Sosai (Sungsen), Poitia (Pintia), and many more.[citation needed]
History[edit | edit source]
Early migrations[edit | edit source]
The Mara people are believed to have migrated from the north[clarification needed], driven southward by pressure from the east. They initially settled between Leitak and Leisai, eventually crossing the Kaladan River and establishing a settlement in Phusa in the Lushai Hills. From Phusa, they moved to Beukhi, where two subgroups—the Siaha and Saiko Tlongsais—emerged, each establishing new settlements named Siaha and Serkawr, respectively. It is estimated that the Mara have been settled in the Lushai Hills for approximately 300 to 400 years.[lower-alpha 1][7]
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Parry's book was published in 1924 and referred to the migration as occurring 200–300 years prior.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Template:Cite 2011 census of India
- ↑ Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Population Census 2011. Table ST-14: Scheduled tribe population by religious community (State/UT level), Mizoram - 2011
- ↑ Zohra, K. An Introductory Notes to Mara District of South Mizoram, India.
- ↑ Shakespear, John (1912). The Lushei Kuki Clans. London: Macmillan and Company, limited. p. 213.
- ↑ Parry, N.E; Hutton, J.E (1932). The Lakhers. London: Macmillan & Co, Limited. p. 1.
- ↑ Tuck, H. N. (1896). The Chin Hills Vol. 1.
- ↑ Parry & Hutton 1932, p. 2.
External links[edit | edit source]
Template:Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes
