Maras are a sub-group of the Kuki-Chin people from the Tibeto-Burman family. Though nothing definite is known or proven to be fact, the Maras are believed to have originated in southern China and migrated through Tibet, the hills of northern Myanmar, and eventually settled in the present region in Mizoram (India) and Chin State (Myanmar).
The Maras entered what is now - Siaha District in Mizoram, India, an area locally known as the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) or Maraland in the late 17th century. It is believed that the Maras have inhabited this region for around three centuries. The land, encircled by the Beino (Kolodyne) River, resembles a semi-island from above.
The geographical area of Maraland is 1445 Sq Kms. with a population of 64827 (2015 MADC census). The region has an international border with Myanmar in the east. Inter-district border with Lai Autonomous District Council in the west and north, and a chicken neck border with Lunglei District in the northwest.
Maras historically enjoyed natural independence under the Chieftainship. Each village had its own chiefs who had sovereign rights under his jurisdiction. The Maras frequently encroached the British Empire by head hunting and attacking British subjects. Leading to the British subjugating the region in 1924. However, neither local self-Government was constituted, nor a political autonomy was granted for the management of their local affairs. For a brief period, British Superintendent and the Mara chiefs ruled over the Mara people as virtual dictator. When Maraland was annexed into the British Indian administration, it was divided for administrative convenience. One portion was annexed to the East Bengal province, which was later transferred to the South Lushai (Mizo) Hills under Assam after 20 years. Most of the land was ceded to the Government of Burma (Myanmar).
With the independence of India in 1947, Maraland in the British Lushai Hills became a part of Independent India. In 1950, the Constitution of India categorized the Maras as a Scheduled Tribe of India along with other Tribes of the Northeast India (Gazette of India Extra ordinary Part II Section 3 Page 118 dated 10th August 1950). Tribes appeared in the Gazette are seven in number - (i) Lushai (Mizo) (ii) Naga (iii) Khasi (iv) Garo (v) Mikir (vi) Cachari and Jaintia.
Following India's independence, the first government schools were established in the region by the then Government of Assam, 23 primary schools up to Class III and one middle school up to Class VI in 1948.
Mara Identity
Early writers, scholars, and neighbouring tribes gave the Maras various names. To their northwestern neighbours, particularly the Lushais (Mizos), they were known as "Lakhers." Their southern neighbours, including the Khumis and Arakanese, referred to them as "shendus" or "shindus," a term derived from Khumi, meaning - people who wear a rag around their topknot and are known for their restlessness and constant fighting. The Hakas, their northern neighbours, called them "Miram," a Hakanised version of "Mara." The Chins, their northeastern neighbours, referred to them as "Zo."
Early British writers who first engaged with the Khumis and Arakanese adopted the term "shindu," while the Lushais (Mizos) used "Lakher." Despite these external names, the Maras have always identified themselves as Mara.
There are five identified dialects in Mara language in India. The dialects are Chapi, Tlosai, Hawthai, Zyhno and Vytu (Siata). Tlosai is used as official language for written form.
Religion
Maras practiced animism before the arrival of British missionaries Rev Reginald Arthur Lorrain and his wife in 1907. The missionaries founded Evangelical Church of Maraland, the principal church in the region. Prior to their arrival in 1905, they had founded Lakher Pioneer Mission in London.
Missionaries from London transcribed Mara language, developed an alphabet, and established schools for local children, which facilitated the gradual adoption of Christianity among the Maras. The Maras speak a language distinct from their neighbors, such as the Mizos, Bengalis, Nepalese, Lai, Chakmas, and Burmese. They have their own Bible and hymn book. In 1956, the Maras became the first tribe among their neighbours to have a complete Bible translated into their language.
