Mizo Animism

Sakhua (lit. "deity divine force"), also known as Mizo religion, Lushai animism or ''Khua'' worship, is a traditional polytheistic ethnic faith practiced by the Mizo people prior to the widespread adoption of Christianity during the British annexation of Mizoram. As of the 2001 census, 1,367 people in Mizoram continued to practice this indigenous faith.Table ST-14a, Indian Census 2001

Definitions

Vanlaltlani defines ''Sakhua'' as the worship of a benevolent unseen God, ''Pathian'', who resides in heaven and acts as the creator, protector, and benefactor of all creation. She also considers that animism was just one element of the ''Sakhua'' belief system.

In contrast, Saiaithanga states that ''Sakhua'' does not involve the worship of ''Pathian'' or the ''Ramhuai'' (spirits dwelling in forests and lands). Instead, it focuses on ''Khuavang'', regarded as the spirit that provides protection and blessings.

Rev. Liangkhaia explains ''Sakhua'' as rooted in spirit appeasement, involving sacrificial rituals led by a priest (''Sadawt'') to honor the Ramhuai. He further interprets "Sa" as signifying a clan and "Khua" as the village's protector. Zairema shares this view, considering Sakhua the guardian spirit representing a clan's identity.

Stories

Creation of the Earth

Khuazingnu was considered as the benevolent deity who created the earth and everything on it. It was assumed that she also created the environment that surrounded all creation. This included the land that encompassed the entire earth. Finally, Khuazingnu solved the problem. She'd open the skylights. After that, she would fling water from these exact windows out of the sky and onto the barren dryness of the soil, all to keep the greenery that was slowly but surely dwindling. To this day, many Mizos shout that "the goddess of the heavens is dousing us with water."

Then, Khuazingnu placed a representative couple from each human tribe and animal species in a cave. And once everyone was inside, she blocked the cave with a massive boulder known as Chhinlung. After generations were born inside the cave, Khuazingnu lifted the Chhinlung rock, believing that enough people had been born to repopulate the earth. The many clans emerged from the cave in large numbers. When the Ralte clan, noted for being loud and boisterous, emerged from the cave, Khuazingnu decided to reposition the Chhinlung rock over the cave's mouth, believing that the Ralte clan's huge noise had drawn enough people out. Till today, the Ralte clan is known as "''Ralte bengchheng,''" which translates to "noisy/rowdy Ralte."

Beliefs

Pathian

Pathian is considered the supreme God who created the world and all that there is in it. The tribal Mizos worshipped Pathian as it was believed that Pathian was kind-hearted and would always help those who sought it. It is believed that Pathian bestows the righteous with blessings and good fortune and punishes the wicked with calamities and misfortunes.

Khuanu

The Mizos revered the feminine deity Khuanu, meaning 'mother of nature'. She is the wife of Pathian and is a benevolent Goddess who blesses humans as a matriarchal figure.

Benevelont spirits

Khuavang are benevolent spirits who have never caused harm to people but rather help in their difficulties. They are thought to live in high places, such as mountains or hills. Khuavang are a symbol of kindness and abundance. It is believed that the Khuavang bestow many children and long married lives on humans.

Pu Vana is a benevolent spirit who was the Pathian family's grandfather and most likely the father of Pathian. He is worshipped as the god of nature. As he is endowed with the power of thunder and lightning, he can be compared and seen parallel to Indra of the Hindu religion.

''Vanchungnula'' was believed to be the damsel in the family of Pathian and is the goddess of rain and water. It is said that she is Pathian's daughter and would pour water whenever humans require it.

Sakhua spirit: The word Sakhua is made up of two words: sa and khua. Sa is the creator and progenitor of a tribe, clan, or race, and khua is the protector who bestows well-being on humans. Sakhua is the god of the family or clan.

Khaltu is known as the guardian spirit. The "Khaltu" spirit is associated with people's lives and well-being. Every living creature is thought to have a "thla" (soul), and as long as the soul remained in the body, the person was considered to be alive. If a person had a terrifying experience, such as being mauled by wild animals or captured by an enemy, the soul was similarly terrified, and a sacrifice was required to restore proper and normal relations with the "khaltu." If the experience was further intensified, a goat was sacrificed; the tail was severed and tied around the neck with a string. Breaking this string was a serious offence for the Mizos, possibly as serious as breaking the sacred tread for Hindus.

Malevolent spirits

Mizos believed in the existence of malevolent evil spirits who were believed to cause human misery, suffering, and misfortunes. Numerous spirits were mentioned in accordance with their abodes.

Ramhuai means "the malignant spirit of the forest or jungle," and they were found throughout the 'jhum' and forest. They are believed to frequently haunt people and take on various disguises.

Hmuithla is an evil spirit that was thought to afflict both humans and animals. This spirit roams the night, looking for humans and animals on the verge of death. This was similar to "Yamraj", in Hinduism.

Phung is a spirit that was dark in colour and colossal in size. It was believed to cause humans to suffer from insanity and epilepsy. Convulsions or spasms in children were also thought to be caused by the "phung's" displeasure.

Khawhring spirits would watch people's food and drink with evil eyes. As it was believed these spirits possessed food and drink, the Mizos would offer a portion of their food to the evil spirits before eating and drinking. If someone was thought to be possessed by "khawhring," it was almost legal to kill that person.

Rituals

Sakung

Sakung is a religious obligation for a newly married person in a separate house from their parents to perform. The first male pig known as ''vawkpa sutnghak'' were reared for this ritual. A ''sadawt'' (priest) would perform it in the house in the evening. It would consist of sacred chants and the sacrificing of the pig with a bamboo rod. The ''sadawt'' would tie the bamboo rod and the pig's head with some pieces of meat in the back corner of the house. This would be repeated and the remaining meat would be cooked and eaten. ''Sakung'' would be done for three days. The family were not allowed guests, to work, visit public places, eat sour fruit and attend funeral meetings. After three days the ''sadawt'' would chant religious rites known as ''thian'' which would conclude the ceremony and allow the family to live normally.

Revival

Hnam Sakhua is a modernized traditional Mizo religion that places a special emphasis on the Mizo culture and seeks to revive traditional Mizo values while opposing the influence of Christianity on the Mizo people.

References

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Mizoram

Ethnic religions in Asia