Chin State
Even less populous than Kachin State in the early 1980s was Chin State, which represented about 1 percent of the total population. Chin peoples, who are identified by a bewildering number of names, live in the mountainous regions between Bakhine State and central Burma. On the western border, Chin State touches Bangladesh and India, where many Lushai Chins live. Always self-defined, like so many other hill peoples, by reference to lowland wet-rice Buddhists, historicafly Chins have found an ecological niche where their hillside village existed in relative independence from Burmese administration. Because no east-west roads connect their territory with the outside world, historically they have been able to trade, make war, conduct slave raids, hunt, feud, and compete with each other without direct outside control or much interference.
Village leaders, as in other hill groups, may have momentarily commanded a regional following, but nothing resembling a state has apparently ever developed. Turbulent, competitive, legalistic, and yet very social, the Chins did not take to Christianity as well as did the Karens. Like the Karens, those who are Christians (possibly one-quarter of the population) have hoped to use their new faith to link with outside powers to protect their people from being engulfed by Burmans. The traditional religion was undergoing changes long before the area was closed to outside observers in 1962, and it may not have survived into the early 1980s in its former state. Chin religion, in which the door to paradise is opened by hunting done in the proper way to honor and contend with the spirits of what is killed, can be seen in contrast to the Buddhism of their neighbors, where taking life is normatively scorned. Animal sacrifice, so common among hill peoples, is likewise condemned by valley Buddhists. While hill and valley people share a common conviction that the most interesting explanations for phenomena are spiritual or supernatural speculations, they differ sharply on matters of sacrifice.
Although Chin nationalist groups have at times been formed to promote Chin causes, insurrections have not apparently been at all common. Little information was available, but one could assume that Arakanese and Muslim disturbances nearby have not been without influence on militant Chins, and in the early 1980s a very small Chin separatist movement was believed active in Chin State. Burman kings historically exacted levies on Chins, who were used as warriors; the British used Chins in their armies because of their fighting ability and their loyalty, and Burman commanders have used Chin units for similar reasons. The combative spirit is certainly not lacking in the Chins, but perhaps the drive for complete independence is. Their quest is, and has always been, for coexistence with the majority, not complete separation.
Prominent hill ranges in Chin State are Laitha Toung hill ranges, Inbokalan Taung hill range, Yaunkalan Taung hill range which ran between the Chindwin and Manipore rivers. Summit Mount Victoria is 10,400 feet high. Depending upon the dialects they speak, Chins are differentiated as Kathe Chin, Chin ordinary, Skakuki Chin , Northern Chin, middle Chin, Southern Chin etc. There are 44 varieties of Chin languages and dialects. Majority of Chins are Buddhist. Taung Zalet (rhododendron) trees which bloom cordially in early winter are one of the natural beauties of Chin State. Simple and frank chins regard great hornbill bird as the model for loyalty.
Chin new year festival is held annually in Chin State on the waxing moon of the month Kason, May. And its festival is performed a dance making farewell to the old year and welcoming new year. And wishing everyone new life with new vitality and happiness. These is a dance called Sa Lan which is performed by beautiful maidens.It is the dance to memorize the conquest over the enemies, the killing of wild enemies and to celebrate the victory over the enemies Sa ice festival dances victory over the wild games.
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