Mizo religion

The Mizo religion, also known as Lushai animism,[1] is an indigenous polytheistic ethnic religion that was practiced by the majority of the Mizo people before conversions to Christianity which started with the British annexation of the region.[2] As of the 2001 census, 1,367 people practiced the Mizo religion.[3][4]

Beliefs

Pathian

Pathian is the supreme creator god in the Mizo religion. He is believed to bless the righteous with good fortune and to punish the wicked with calamities and misfortune.[2][5][6]

Khuanu

Adherents to the Mizo religion rever the goddess Khuanu, meaning 'mother of nature'. She is a benevolent goddess who blesses humans just as a mother does her children.[2][5]

Benevelont spirits

Khuavang are benevolent spirits who have never caused harm to people, but rather help in their difficulties. They are thought to live in high places, most likely on a mountain or hill. Khuavang bestow on humans a large number of children and long married life.[2]

Pu Vana is believed to be a benevolent spirit who is Pathian's family's grandfather, and most likely the father of Pathian. He is worshipped as the god of nature, endowed with power, thunder, and lightning and hence he can be compared with Lord Indra of Hindu religion.[5]

Vanchungnula is believed to be the damsel in the family of Pathian and is the goddess of rain and water. It is said that she is Pathian's daughter and that she pours water whenever humans require it.[2]

Sakhua spirit: The word Sakhua is made up of two words: sa and khua. Sa is the creator and progenitor of a tribe, clan, or race, and khua is the protector who bestows well-being on humans. Sakhua is the god of the family or clan.[2]

Khaltu or guardian spirit. The "Khaltu" spirit is associated with people's lives and well-being. Every living creature is also thought to have a "thla" (soul), and as long as the soul remains in the body, the person is considered to be alive. If a person had a terrifying experience, such as being mauled by wild animals or captured by an enemy, the soul was similarly terrified, and a sacrifice was required to restore proper and normal relations with the "khaltu". When the experience was truly terrifying, a goat was sacrificed; the tail was severed and tied around the neck with a string. Breaking this string was a serious offense for the Mizos, possibly as serious as breaking the sacred thread for Hindus.[2]

Malevolent spirits

Malevolent spirits are believed to cause human misery, suffering, and misfortunes. Numerous spirits are mentioned in accordance with their abodes.

Ramhuai means are malignant spirits of the forest or jungle. They frequently haunt people and take on various disguises.[2]

Hmuithla is an evil spirit who is thought to afflict both humans and animals. This spirit roams the night looking for humans and animals on the verge of death, similar to "Yamraj", in Hinduism.[2]

Phung is a spirit that was dark in colour and colossal, and is believed to cause humans to suffer from insanity and epilepsy. Convulsions or spasms in children were also thought to be caused by "phung's" displeasure.[2]

Khawhring spirits are believed to watch people's food and drink with evil eyes. Because these spirits possess food and drink, the Mizos would offer a portion of their food to the evil spirits before eating and drinking. If someone was thought to be possessed by "khawhring," it was almost legal to kill that person.[2]

Revival

Hnam Sakhua is a modernized traditional Mizo religion that places a special emphasis on the Mizo culture and seeks to revive traditional Mizo values while opposing the influence of Christianity on the Mizo people.[4]

References
  1. Srijani Bhattacharjee (November 2017), From Animism To Structured Beliefs: Socio-Cultural Changes In Lushai Hills With The Advent Of Christianity And British Administration In The Region, International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies, p. 37, S2CID 220631805
  2. "Religion of the Mizos before Their Conversion to Christianity". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.303.1811.
  3. Table ST-14a, Indian Census 2001
  4. "About Mizoram". Dept of Panchayati Raj, Government of Mizoram.
  5. "Land in the traditional Mizo religion and its significance for the development of a Mizo theology of land". Serampore University.
  6. "A Critical Study On Christian Mission With Special Reference To Presbyterian Church Of Mizoram" (PDF). University of Birmingham.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.