MIZORAM

CAPITAL-AIZAWL

LIST OF CHEIF MINISTERS OF MIZORAM

#	NAME	TOOK OFFICE	LEFT OFFICE	PARTY
01	Ch. Chhunga	03 May 1972	10 May 1977	Mizo Union
02	President's Rule	11 May 1977	01 June 1978
03	Thenphunga Sailo	02 June 1978	10 November 1978	People's Conference
04	President's Rule	10 November 1978	08 May 1979
05	Thenphunga Sailo [2]	08 May 1979	04 May 1984	People's Conference
06	Pu Lalthanhawla	05 May 1984	20 August 1986	Indian National Congress
07	Pu Laldenga	21 August 1986	07 September 1988	Mizo National Fornt
08	President's Rule	07 September 1988	24 January 1989
09	Pu Lalthanhawla [2]	24 January 1989	03 December 1998	Indian National Congress
10	Pu Zoramthanga	03 December 1998	11 December 2008	Mizo National Fornt
11	Pu Lalthanhawla [3]	11 December 2008	Present	Indian National Congress

ELECTED POLITICAL OFFICIALS OF MIZORAM

Lok Sabha members of Mizoram

S.NO.	CONSTITUENCY	NAME OF MEMBER	PARTY
01	Mizoram (ST)	Vanlalzawma , Shri	MNF

Rajya Sabha members of Mizoram

S.NO.	NAME OF MEMBER	PARTY
01	Lalhming Liana	Mizo National Fornt

OCCUPATION

Agriculture is the main occupation in Mizoram. Ginger,Paddy,maize,mustard,sugarcane,sesame and potatoes are the famous crops grown. The major industries in the state are that of handloom and handicrafts. Sericulture is also practised widely.

FOOD

DRESS

IMPORTANT PLACE

Tamdil-

Pick a picnic basket and head out for Tamdil (Tam Lake). This natural lake is reputed for its fish and prawns and is an 85 km drive from Aizawl. The drive gives you an excellent opportunity to see some of the prettiest areas of Mizoram. Go for boat rides, relax by the tranquil waters and if you can bestir yourself, take a drive into the nearby jungles, which are home to an assortment of fascinating flora and fauna. You can also stay here overnight. The resort village of Saituai is just 10 km away.

Vantawang-

Surrounded by a vast stretch of thick bamboo forests close to Thenzawl hill station is Mizoram's highest waterfall Vantawang (750 ft.). Located 152 km from Aizawl, this popular water body is worth a visit. If you can't get enough of it you can stay overnight for it's equipped with a cafeteria and cottage for hire.

Champhai-

Drive along the fertile plains of Champhai, about 200 km from Aizawl to enjoy the stunning vista of emerald rice fields bordered by the smoky hills of Myanmar. This bustling commercial hub on the Indo-Myanmar borderline also attracts nature lovers by the droves.

Phawngpui-

One of the finest encounter with Mizoram's splendid vistas is Phawngpui , its highest peak, which is extremely popular with trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. The Blue Mountain, as it is often referred to, is 300 km from Aizawl and close to the Myanmar border. Fragrant herbs and rare species of orchids and rhododendrons are found here.

Under the protection of State Government's conservation programme, entry is monitored, but allows access to trekkers, picnickers and campers. Accommodation is available in Sangau and Vawmbuk village. You need a four-wheel drive to access Phawngpui.

Saiha-

Saiha is an angler's paradise on the Chhimtuipui, Mizoram's biggest river, 378 km from Aizawl. Overnight stay can be arranged at the tourist lodge at Saiha. Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) is 30 kms away.

Drive another 45 km to the popular Lake Palak, the largest in Mizoram and highly reputed for its varieties of wild duck, crabs and large fish. Tiger, bear, deer, and wild pig populate the forests of the wildlife sanctuary around the lake.

Lunglei-

Situated in South Mizoram, this district headquarter town is a popular hill station offering fascinating vignettes of Mizoram's legendary natural beauty.

LANGUAGE

Mizo

English

FESTIVAL

Chapchar Kut-

Some of the most colourful renditions of the traditional Chapchar Kut(Spring Festival)are the ones organised by the Young Mizo Association(YMA)which has spearheaded the revival of old cultural traditions in Mizoram. Each major village has a YMA branch so it is possible to time a trip to watch this famous festival in all its traditional pageantry.

The seven-day festival is usually held in the first week of March.This is when visitors get to see the local people in their rich ceremonial costumes. The traditional dresses, the jewellery, the exotic headdress and weapons worn by the representatives of each tribe showcases the most colourful aspects of Mizo culture in the finest tradition. Kut Puipate is the inaugural ceremony, which is followed by the Then Katna when the dancers get ready for the performance.The most important dance on the programme is the famous Cheraw or bamboo dance.

Thalfavang Kut-

The State celebrates the festival of Thalfavang Kut every November.This festival is celebrated in connection with the completion of weeding the land in preparation of the forthcoming harvest. This period of leisure and free time has been a period of celebration and relaxation.

This festival also depicts the cultural heritage and the traditional games of the Mizos. It has given an opportunity for the community to come together and renew old bonds and ties.

Mim Kut-

The Mim Kut was a festival celebrated before the hard work in the jhum was over. It would take place in September. The festival lasting for one or two days would be in memory of someone who had died during the previous year. Fresh vegetables, maize bread, necklaces and cloth would be placed on the memorials of the dead as offerings to them. It was believed that their spirits would revisit their house during the Mim Kut. Zu would be taken in houses in which someone had died during the year. On the second day everybody would have a meal of bread.

Pawl Kut-

Pawl Kut was the harvest festival which was celebrated after the village had gathered its harvest. Lasting for one to two days, the villagers would feast and dance in thanksgiving for the harvest.

There is a legend regarding the origin of this festival. In the olden days when the Mizos were living to the east of the Tiau river in the chin hills, which is now in Burma, there was famine for three consecutive years. In the fourth year the people had a bumper crop.The people believed that this was a blessing of the supreme god and as a thanksgiving they celebrated Pawl Kut.

It was customary for everyone to eat meat and eggs during Pawl Kut. A few days before the day is fixed for the feast, the men would go out hunting wild animals, trapping birds or fishing. One would get as much meat as one's means would permit. Even the poorest would kill at least a fowl for the household feast. As in Chapchar Kut, mothers and children would gather together at the Lungdawh bringing with them plates of rice, boiled eggs and meat and feed one another performing Chhawnghnawt. The youngmen and girls would also attend the Chhawnghnawt. The men would gather in the houses of well-to-do persons and Zu would be drunk. The festivities were followed by Eipuar Awm Ni or the day of rest. As Christianity spreads in Mizoram these festivals gradually faded out.

Chapchar Kut-

Some of the most colourful renditions of the traditional Chapchar Kut (Spring Festival) are the ones organized by the Young Mizo Association (YMA) which has spearheaded the revival of old cultural traditions in Mizoram. Each major village has a YMA branch so it is possible to time a trip to watch this famous festival in all its traditional pageantry. The seven-day festival is usually held in the first week of March. This is when visitors get to see the local people in their rich ceremonial costumes. The traditional dresses, the jewellery, the the exotic headdress and weapons worn by the representatives of each tribe showcases the most colourful aspects of Mizo culture in the finest tradition. Kut Puipate is the inaugural ceremony, which is followed by the Then Katna when the dancers get ready for the performance. The most important dance on the programme is the famous Cheraw or bamboo dance.

Thalfavang Kut-

The State celebrates the festival of Thalfavang Kut every November. This festival is celebrated in connection with the completion of weeding the land in preparation of the forthcoming harvest. This period of leisure and free time has been a period of celebration and relaxation. This festival also depicts the cultural heritage and the traditional games of the Mizos. It has given an opportunity for the community to come together and renew old bonds and ties.