Mizoram Statehood day

In news 

Recently, the Prime Minister greeted people of Mizoram on 35th statehood day

About Mizoram

• It is a state in northeastern India, with Aizawl as its seat of government and capital city.
• Statehood: It attained statehood on February 20, 1987 following the 53rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1986
• Location: Mizoram, located in southern tip of northeastern region is bounded by Myanmar to the east and south, Bangladesh to the west, Tripura to the northwest, Assam to the north, and Manipur to the northeast.

Evolution of its name: 

• The ‘Land of Mizos’ was earlier known as the Lushai hills district of Assam before it was renamed as the Mizo hills District in 1954 and became union territory in 1972 and in achieved statehood on February 20, 1987
• The name of the state is derived from “Mizo”, the self described name of the native inhabitants, and “Ram”, which in the Mizo language means “land.” Thus “Mizo-ram” means “land of the Mizos

Demography: 

• According to a 2011 census, in that year Mizoram’s population was 1,091,014.

• It is the 2nd least populous state in the country. Mizoram covers an area of approximately 21,087 square kilometres

• The sex ratio of the state is 976 females per thousand males, higher than the national ratio 940. 
• The density of population is 52 persons per square kilometre.
• As per 2011 census,  literacy rate of Mizoram in 2011 was 91.33%, higher than the national average 74.04 per cent

Biodiversity: 

As per the India state of Forest Report-2019, the state has maximum forest cover in terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area, the top five States are Mizoram (85.41%)

• State bird: Vavu

• State flower: Senhri

Protected areas of Mizoram:

• Murlen National Park
• Dampa Tiger Reserve
• Phawngpui National Park
• Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary
• Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary
• It has four more Wildlife Sanctuaries

Ethnic groups: 

• The state has the highest concentration(%) of tribal population among the all states
• The great majority of Mizoram’s population consists of several ethnic tribes who are either culturally or linguistically linked. 
• These ethnic groups are collectively known as Mizos (Mi means People, Zo meaning the name of a progenitor ; Mizo thus is People of Zo origin)
• Mizo tribes are also called as Kukis which include Biate, Hrangkhol,  Lushei (or Lusei), Paite, Lai, Mara, Ralte, Hmar, Thadou, Shendus, and several others.
• These tribes are subdivided into numerous clans, and these clans are further sub-divided into sub-clans, for example the Hmars are divided into Thiek, Faihriem, Lungtau, Darngawn, Khawbung, Zote and others.
  • The Bru (Reang), Chakma, Tanchangya, origin of Northern Arakan Mountain, are some non-Kuki tribes of Mizoram

Their festivals

• Their Community festivals were called kut in the local language, and there were major and minor kuts such as Chapchar Kut, Thalfavang Kut, Mim Kut and Pawl Kut. 
• Chapchar Kut was the festival of spring (February/March), just before jhum started and land was cut-and-burned for a new crop. 
• Chapchar Kut was most anticipated by youth, a major festival and involved dancing and feasts. 
• Thalfavang Kut celebrated the completion of weeding of the jhum crop fields.
• Mim Kut was the festival dedicated to ancestors after the first maize crop was collected
• Pawl Kut celebrated the end of harvest and the start of new year.

Dance: Mizoram has many traditional dances, such as:

• Cheraw: a dance that involves men holding bamboo close to the floor.
• Khuallam: a mixed-gender dance that traditionally celebrated successfully hunting with swaying cloth with singing and music
• Chheihlam: typically performed over cool evenings with rice beer, people sit in a circle with two or more dancers in the centre
• Chai: an important dance at the Chapchar Kut