Hmar is the name of one of the numerous mizo/kuki/chin tribes of India, spread over a large area in the northeast. The Hmars belong to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of tribes, and are recognised as Scheduled Tribe under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India. Literally, Hmar means North or Northern people, as they are living north to the Lusei people. But this is hotly debated among the community itself. Some scholars are of the opinion that the word originated from the style of tying the hair knot on the head.

Area[link]

Hmars live mostly in the hills of south Manipur, Mizoram, Cachar, North Cachar, Meghalaya, Tripura and Chittagong Hill Tracts. Although these areas are within different administrative divisions, they are geographically connected. In Manipur, the Hmars reside in the south, especially in the Churachandpur District and its adjoining areas. These areas, except Tuithaphai (the Khuga Valley/Churachandpur), are hilly. Tuiruong (Barak), Tuivai and Tuithapui (Khuga) are some of the important rivers flowing through this area. In Mizoram, the Hmars live mostly in the north, especially in the Aizawl District. In Assam, the Hmars live in the Cachar and North Cachar District. In Meghalaya, the Hmars live in the Jaintia Hills District and Shillong in Khasi Hills District. In Tripura, the Hmars mostly live in and around Darchawi, a village on the Mizoram – Tripura border.

Origins[link]

The Hmars trace their origin to Sinlung, the location of which is hotly debated. The Hmars are part of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo groups of people found in North East India, Burma and Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The Hmars are generally medium statured (5′–5′6″), sturdy, dark haired, brown skinned. The Hmars still treasure and garner their traditional arts, including folk dance, folk songs, handi crafts, etc., representing scenes of adventure, battle, love, victory, and other experiences throughout history.

The majority of the Hmars are cultivators. The Hmars in South Manipur were introduced to Christianity in the year 1910 by Watkin Roberts, a Welsh missionary ^[1]

Political Movements[link]

The Hmar People's Convention (HPC) is the political party representing the separatist interest of the tribe. Since 1987 it rose in insurgency, until a ceasefire was signed in 1992. After that a radical section split off, calling itself Hmar People's Convention (Democracy). An armed wing Hnam Santu (English: Hmar Protection Cell) has been active since 2003.^{[citation needed]}

Literature[link]

• Dena, Lal; In search of identity: Hmars of North-East India; New Delhi 2008; ISBN 978-81-8370-134-1

References[link]

See also[link]

• Bnei Menashe

Hmar-related websites[link]

• Hmar.In: Infoway of the indigenous Hmar people
• Sinlung
• INPUI.COM – News & Information 'House' of the Hmar Tribe
• Hmar Rûnpui : Hmar Social Network
• Hmar Guwahati - Hmar Welfare Society, Guwahati

• DELHI THURAWN: Organ of the Hmar Students' Association, Joint Headquarters, Delhi
• A Socio-Religious-Cultural Centre in Delhi, India, for the preservation and propagation of Hmar ethnicity
• Hmar Resources Online: The Hmar Repository
• Mumbai Tuisunsuo Weekly News
• Mumbai Hmar – Portal of the Hmars in Mumbai
• Hmar Arasi – Official website of the Hmar Students' Association, Bangalore Branch
• VIRTHLI
• HmasawnnaThar
• http://www.hmarram.com/

References[link]

• Indian Catholic, Christian leaders gather warring ethnic groups for peace