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Mizoram, which became the 23rd state of Indian Union on February20, 1987, is one of the northeastern states of India. It is situated between 210-58I to 240-29I north latitude and 920-29I to 930-22I east longitude. Mizoram shares borders with the three states of Tripura, Assam and Manipur. It is a land of high hills and the range runs in ridges from north to south. The capital of Mizoram is Aizawl.
According to the Census of India 2001, the total population of Mizoram at 00:00 hours of March1, 2001 was 8, 91,058. The state has a density as low as 42 persons per square kilometer area. As against the decadal growth by 23.34% at the national level, the population of the state rose by 29.18% over the period 1991-2001. The sex ratio of Mizoram is 938 females to 1000 males, which is a bit higher than the national average of 933 females to 1000 males. The total literacy in the state rose to 88.49% from 82.27% during 1991-2001.
The Mizos belong to the Tibeto-Burman group of Mongolian race. Their physical appearance is short to medium stature with yellow skin, straight black hair, eyes slanting with Mongolian fold, broad and flat nose, prominent cheek bones, long body and short legs.
The term ‘Mizo’ is generic and referred to all the sub-groups of tribes residing in the terrain. The Tribal Research Institute Directorate of Arts and Culture, Government of Mizoram, puts Lushai, Pawi, Lakher, Renglong, Riang, and Chakma in the same list. The documents in support of this categorization maintain that Lushai, Pawi, Lakher, and Ranglong have somewhat similar culture, customs, tradition and closely linked dialects are sub-tribes of Mizos. Whereas, the tribes Riang, and Chakmas, who although have the same ethnical features have different culture and language.
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