TELL US OUR NAME

Writen by M.C Hoi Kyaing

         In the absent of written documents, and because the Khumi had limited contact with neighboring people, it is extremely difficult to trade Khumi history. Now we accepted that Khumi belongs to the group of Chin, identified as Tibeto-Burman.

A.      The Meaning of Khumi

The word “KHUMI” is interpreted in various ways. The most well Know interpretation  of the Khumi is as follow:

The most of the region of covered with forests call “KHU” that is why the people interpreted in this region seem to be called “Khumi” (Highlanders).

Khumi legends say they were ruled in older days by the Hill King, “Khu Keung”. People moving into the hill king’s jurisdiction were called “Mi” . They were called Khumi meaning that “Village People”.

The word Khumi combined “Khu and Mi”. The word Khu means “Own land” or “territory” and it originated by the word “Khu Keung” (Hill King), “Khuta” (land of good soil), “Khu peang”(th owner of the land), and “Khuteangtaki palyh”(the four cardinalpoints). The word Mi means “Living being” or “Human being”. So, Khumi means a living people in own land.

The earliest spelling of the term , “Khumi” varied greately “Kha-mae, Kha-miu, and Keemes” etc. But probably in the 1965s, Khumi was being used generally ,and it is spelling had continued to the present. B. Lalthanglina, one of Mizoram historian, said that Mara and Lushai called them ”Matu”, and Rakhine and Mogh called them “Khumi or Kha-mi”. U Ba Shin says, there are two groups in Khumi such as “Areng or Aphia(upper) khumi” and Wakung or Ava (Lower) khumi. There are many names in Khumi at Paletwa area which is according to their geographically. Khumi people are honest and hospitable. They have willingness to help one another. They are generous.

B.      Entry into Present Peletwa Area and Lives

The Khumi came into present Paletwa area with other Chain people. With other Chain people want toward Zokhua and from the central Burma went to Mindat, Kanpetlet, Matupi, via Pungtaung hills, and those from the Rakhine State went up to the Peletwa. According to Vumson, the Khami/Khumi or Mru group, migration along a big river, has no tales of setting in the Kalay-Kabaw-Myitta vallays. They were probably the earliest migrant to Chin State. Khumi people who, living in four regions like Paletwa, Matupi, Rakhine area and the Eastern part of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Paletwa area is the Capital and the main region of Khumi people.

                The Paletwa area is also rich in many natural pleasant types of scenery with colorful seasonable flowers. The Orchid (Tlangchy) flowers are not only making beautiful land but also enhance the living standard of Khumi people.

                Before colonialism started in Paletwa area the political administration among Khumi was run by village chiefs. These chiefs were not elected or appointed as leaders, but they were local conquerors and ability to save their natives from outside raids and attacks. That is called chief man (Khu keung) administration system. The chief on head man had political and judicial powers. He controlled to varying degrees the daily lives of the people land of division, disposal, sequestration and redistribution with in the village boundary were his responsibilities.

                The economic life of the Khumi is governed by what may be called the primitive economy on substance economy. Life and culture change among the Khumi dialect by Christian Missionaries. The coming Gospel of Christ to the Khumi area through the missionaries are a significant steps  for the animistic Khumi dialect people to the turning point and re-discovery of their lost history, culture, language, and religion.

                And today, the Khumi people attitude must be transformed from “crusading spirit to crucified spirit,” from “inclusiveness,” from “enmity” to “amity,” from “hostility” to “hospitality,” from “parochialism” and from “retaliation” to “reconciliation.” Tell us our name!