Hmar people

Hmar people are a scheduled tribe ethnic group^[2][3] from the states of Manipur,^[4][5] Mizoram,^[6] Assam,^[7] and Meghalaya^[8] in Northeast India. They use the Hmar language as their primary language. In 2023, the Hmar Inpui, an apex body of the tribe 'reaffirmed' the identity of the Hmar people as Mizo.

Hmar

Lalremsiami Hmarzote, a Hmar field hockey player
Regions with significant populations
India[1]
Languages
Hmar language
Religion
Majority: Christianity Minority: Animism
Related ethnic groups
Mizo people

Population

According to the 2011 Indian Census, there were 98,988 Hmar speakers (as first language).^[9] The Hmar population itself (including, Hmar people who speak Mizo language as their first language) roughly stands at 200,000–300,000.^[10] Several critics and scholars point out that a significant population of the Hmar people are fully 'Mizonised' in Mizoram, hence do not reflect as "Hmar tribe" population, rather as "Any Mizo tribes" in Census reports.

Language

Hmar people use the Hmar language, which closely resembles the Mizo language and uses the Roman script.^[11] The script was introduced by British missionaries, including 'Pu Buanga' (James Herbert Lorrain), during the colonial era in India and is locally known as the 'A Aw B.'^[12] Hmar language is within the Tibeto-Burman stock of languages.^[13]

Religion

The majority of the Hmar people practice Christianity.^[14][15] They were Christianized by Welsh missionaries in the 1910s (specifically at Senvawn village). Animism was dominated among them.^[15]

Place of origin

The Hmar people believe Sinlung to be their ancestral origin.^[16]

Notable people

Politicians

Name	Notes
HT Sangliana	Indian Cop and former Lok Sabha MP. A South Indian movie, Sangliyana, was made in honor of him.
Robert Romawia Royte	MLA from Mizoram and owner of Aizawl FC.
Ngurdinglien Sanate	Former Minister from Manipur.
Lalnghinglova Hmar	Current Minister of State (Sports) and MLA from Mizoram.
Ngursanglur Sanate	Current MLA from Manipur.
Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl	Politician from Tripura.
Pachhunga	First President of the Mizo Union.
Chaltonlien Amo	Former Minister from Manipur.[17][18]
Lalmuanpuia Punte	Current Political Advisor[19][20] to Lalduhoma and MLA, Mizoram.
K. Sapdanga	Current Deputy Chief minister, Mizoram.

Sportspersons

Name	Contribution(s)
Lalremsiami	India women's national field hockey team player
Marina Lalramnghaki Hmar	India women's national field hockey team player
David Lalhlansanga	India national football team member
Alfred Lalroutsang	youngest ever player to play in the Indian Super League at the age of 16 years.
Lalrinliana Hnamte	Indian professional footballer.
Lalvarmoi Hmar	Indian professional footballer.
Lalram Luaha	Indian professional footballer
Hmar Zothanchhunga	Indian professional cricketer.

Academics & Authors

Name	Notes
Rochunga Pudaite	Included the Hmar people, Anāl people, and many others as one of the Schedule Tribes of India, 1956, and the founder of Bibles for the World.[21]
Lal Dena	Manipur historian.
Lalthlamuong Keivom	Former Indian diplomat and writer of Zoram Khawvel series.
Zirsangzela Hnamte	Author.
Lallukhum Fimate	Former Director, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences[22] and Zoram Medical College.[23]

Singers, Composers & Musicians

Name	Notes
Mami Varte	Singer
Esther Hnamte	Singer
Lalruotmawi	Singer
Buonglienkung	Composer
Thangngur	Composer
Lienrum	Composer

Clans (Pahnam)

Darngawn

Ruolngul	Faiheng	Tlau	Fatlei
Banzang	Sinate	Famhawite (Famhoite)	Chonghmunte
Lamchangte	Sanate

Faihriem

Saivate	Khawral	Khawkheng	Tuollai
Tuimuol	Bapui	Tusing	Khawlum
Sekong	Seling	Thlangnung	Salhmar
Dulien	Aimuol	Khawhrang	Sote
Thanghnieng

Ngurte^{descendants of Santleichal}

Sanate	Saingur	Zallien	Bungran
Chiluon	Singa	Tuolthla	Para Thla
Pusingathla	Saidangthla

Hrangkhol

Ponatu

Phuoitong

Dumker

Cholkha

Khuolhring (Khawlhring)

Lungen	Thlaute	Midang	Leidir
Suokling	Chunthang	Lozun	Pieltel
Milai	Rawlsim	Khintung	Zahrin

Khawbung^{descendants of Tingkul}

Fenate (Fente)	Pangamte	Pazamte	Riengsete
Laising	Muolphei	Phunte (Punte)	Bunglung
Sierthlang	Siersak

Lawitlang

Hrangchal	Laiasung	Sielasung	Darasung
Tungte	Sungte	Suomte	Tlawmte
Chawnsim

Rawite

Pieltu	Sawrte	Buite	Arro
Zate	Aite	Hnungte	Seldo

Zote^[24] (Joute)^{descendants of Vanso}

Pusiete	Chuonkhup	Singphun	Hriler
Chawnghau	Chawngvawr	Buonsuong	Chawngtuol
Barkhawlai	Tlangte	Parate	Saihmang (Saiate, Sailung, Saite)
Ngaiate	Chawnhnieng	Darte	Darkhawlai
Vaithang	Thangsuok	Maubuk	Hrangngam
Hrangdo	Hrangate	Chawngsieksim	Ngaite (Hauler, Tlurha, Saichawnkhup, Sailientuol)
Hmangte	Chante (Chamte)	Hrangsote	Parate (Bualthang, Khawtial, Rualngai, Zani)

Leiri

Neingaite	Puruolte	Pudaite	Pulamte
Puhnuongte	Thlandar

Changsan

Zilchung	Zilhmang	Ngulthuom	Ngaithuom
Hrawte	Hranhnieng	Chaileng	Thangngen
Kellu	Armei

Ṭhiek^[25]

Athu	Amaw (Amo)	Tuolor	Thilsong
Buhril	Hekte	Ralsun	Chawnghekte
Thluchung (TC)	Kungate	Selate	Tuolte
Ṭaite	Hnamte	Kangbur	Khawzawl
Lalum	Laldau	Saibung	Vankal
Pangote	Pangulte	Khawbuol	Pakhumate
Khumthur	Khumsen	Thlihran	Tamte
Hmante	Chawnnel	Zate

Lungṭau

Mihriemate	Songate	Infimate (Fimate)	Nungate
Intoate	Lungchuong	Inbuon	Pasulate
Keivawm (Keivom)	Tamhrang	Sielhnam	Theisiekate
Thlawngate	Khumsen	Khumthur	Sunate

Ethnic Cultural Items

Traditional Shawls

Name	Original Designer
Hmarpuon	Fimneizo
Thangsuopuon
Ngoteker
Puonlaisen
Hmaram

Literature

Vanlal Tluonga Bapui

• Bapui, VLT & Buruah, PN Dutta. 1996. Hmar Grammar. Mysore: Central Institute of Indian Languages. CIIL Press, Mysore.
• Bapui, Vanlal Tluonga. 2012. Hmar Ṭawng Inchukna (A Lexical Study of the Hmar Language & Usages). Guwahati, Assam: The Assam Institute of Research for Tribals and Scheduled Castes. Hi-Tech Printing & Binding Industries, Guwahati

Lal Dena

• Dena, Lal. 1995. Hmar Folk Tales. New Delhi: Scholar Publishing House. Bengal Printing Press, New Delhi.
• Dena, Lal; In search of identity: Hmars of North-East India; New Delhi 2008.

L Fimate

• Fimate, L. Thina Râpthlak.

RH Hminglien

• Hmar, RH Hminglien. 1997. Hmangaitu Hmel.

FT Hminga

• Hminga, FT. 1991. Hmar Pipu Thilhming Lo Phuokhai. Churachandpur, Manipur: Dr. FT Hminga.
• Hminga, FT. 1993. Hmar Ṭawng Indiklem. Churachandpur, Manipur: Dr. FT Hminga.
• Hminga, FT. 1994. Hming Umzie Neihai. Churachandpur, Manipur: Dr. FT Hminga.

HC Hrangate

• Hrangate, HC. 1996. Pathien Kut.

Lalhmuoklien

• Lalhmuoklien, 2009. Gospel Through Darkness. Churachandpur, Manipur: Rev. Dr. Lalmuoklien. SMART tech Offset Printers, Churachandpur

SN Ngurte

• Ngurte, SN. 1991. Damlai Thlaler.
• Ngurte, SN. 1994. Rengchawnghawi.
• Ngurte, SN. 1995. Kanaan Phaizawl. HL Lawma & Sons Publication.

Ruolnekhum Pakhuongte

• Pakhuongte, Ruolneikhum. 1983. The Power of the Gospel Among the Hmar Tribe. Shillong, Meghalaya: EFCI. Ri Khasi Press, Shillong.

Jonathan Pudaite

• Pudaite, Jonathan. 2011. The Legacy of Watkin R. Roberts.
• Pudaite, Mawii. 1982. Beyond The Next Mountain: The Story of Rochunga Pudaite. Tyndale House Publishers.

Rochunga Pudaite

• Pudaite, Rochunga. 1963. The Education of the Hmar People. Sielmat, Churachandpur. Indo-Burma Pioneer Mission, 1963.
• Pudaite, Rochunga. 1985, The Dime That Lasted Forever. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers.
• Pudaite, Rochunga. 2008. English-Hmar Dictionary. Partnership Publishing House.
• Pudaite, Rochunga. 2011. Ka Hring Nun Vol-1. Thomson Press, Harayana.

Rosiem Pudaite

• Pudaite, Rosiem. 2002. Indian National Struggle for Freedom and its Impact on the Mizo Movement (1935–1953 AD).

John H. Pulamte

• Pulamte, John H. 2011. Hmar Bûngpui. Imphal, Manipur: Dr. John H. Pulamte. BCPW, Imphal.

Darsanglien Ruolngul

• Ruolngul, Darsanglien. 2009. The Advance of the Gospel (Part One). Churachandpur, Manipur: Rev. Darsanglien Ruolngul. SMART * tech Offset Printers, Churachandpur.
• Ruolngul. Darsanglien. 2013. Kohran. Churachandpur, Manipur: ICI. Diamond Offset, Churachandpur.

Ngurthangkhum Sanate

• Sanate, Ngurthangkhum. 1984. Ngurte Pahnam Chanchin. Churachandpur, Manipur

Thangsawihmang Sawngate

• Sawngate, Thangsawihmang. 2012. Hmangaina Parbâwr. Churachandpur, Manipur.

Lalthankhum Sinate

• Sinate, Lalthankhum. 2001. Kohran Hring.

Hranglien Songate

• Songate, H. 1956. Hmar History-Hmar Chanchin. Imphal: Mao Press.
• Songate, H. 1967. Hmar Chanchin (Hmar History).Churachandpur: L & R Press.

JC Thangsiem

• Thangsiem, JC. Zilsi Varzan. Rengkai, Churachandpur.

Hrilrokhum Thiek

• Ṭhiek, Hrilrokhum. 2013. History of the Hmars in North East India, Guwahati, Assam: Rev. Hrilrokhum Ṭhiek, Bhabani Offset Private Ltd., Guwahati.
• Ṭhiek, Hrilrokhum. 1996. Maichâma Mei Chu Sukchawk Zing Ding A Nih.

H Thuomte

• Thuomte, H. 2001. Joute Pahnam Inthladan (Joute Genealogy). Churachandpur, Manipur

• Various. 2008. Lal Remruot – Saidan Chanchin. Delhi. Hmanglien & Sons. Rai's Ad-venture, Delhi.

H Zaneisang

• Zaneisang, H. 2003. Sinlung. Churachandpur, Manipur: H. Zaneisang. Diamond Offset, Churachandpur.

Timothy Z Zote

• Zote, Timothy Z. 2007. Manmasi Year Book (Vol-II), Churachandpur, Manipur: Manmasi Year Book Editorial Board. BCPW, Imphal.

Robert L Sungte

• Sungte, Robert L. 2007. Impact of Religious Journals on the Hmar tribe in Manipur, Karnataka. Mangalore University, Mangalore.

Immanuel Zarzosang

• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang. 2016. Revisiting Sikpui Ruoi of the Hmar Tribe. Anthropology Today. Vol. 1, No. 2. ISSN 2454-2709. Pp. 60–72.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang. 2017. In Search of the "Holy" Confluence: A Journey to the Barak River. In: Queenbala Marak (Ed) "Doing Autoethnography". Serials Publications: New Delhi.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang & Lalthakim Hmar (ed). 2016. Highland Musing. 2016. IndigeNE: Imphal.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang & Lalthakim Hmar (ed). 2016. Sinlung Sermei. IndigeNE: Imphal.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang. 2014. Hmar at the Crossroads. IndigeNE: Imphal.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang. 2014. Culture and Development: Hmar of Tipaimukh in Transition. IndigeNE: Imphal.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang. 2019. Ruolevaisuo a Hohlimna Thusim Thlirletna. 2019. In: Nunhlui-II (Hmar MIL Textbook for TDC Third Semester), Assam University, Silchar, Hmar Literature Society, Assam.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang. 2014. Traditional concepts on honour, wealth, happiness and self-reliance vis-á-vis planned development: Case of the Hmars. In: Aheibam Koireng Singh, Amol Sanasam and Sushma Phurailatpam (Ed) "Knowing Manipur from Endogenous Perspective". Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University and Indian Council of Social Science Research: Imphal. Vol. 2.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang. 2011. Indigenous Knowledge System, Identity, Freedom and Tipaimukh Dam: An Anthropological Perspective. In: Lal Dena (Ed) "Dialogue on Tipaimukh Dam". Akansha Publishing House: New Delhi.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang & R. Th. Varte. 2017. Hmar Traditional Practices in Conflict Resolution: An Anthropological Perspective. In: Melvil Pereira, Bitopi Dutta and Binita Kakati (Ed) "Legal Pluralism and Indian Democracy: Tribal Conflict Resolution Systems in Northeast India". Routledge: New York.
• Varte, Immanuel Zarzosang. 2005. Pre-historical Heritage of Ruong Le Vaisuo. "Hmar Arasi". Souvenir on the occasion of Cultural Festival-cum-Sikpui Ruoi, 2 – 5 December & 50th General Assembly-cum-Literary Meet, 15 – 16 December. Hmar Students' Association General Headquarters: Churachandpur.

Piani Hmar

• Rolung, Sinlung Academy of Letters, 2025

See also

• Hmar Ethnic Cultural Sites
• Hmar language