Zolengthe.net conducted an opinion poll on the choice of the nomenclatures which are being imposed on the Zo decendants by a foreigners. These nomenclatures are known as Kuki and Chin. On the other hand, the Zomi and Mizo are in a vice versa arrangement. The question of the poll goes...
Which nomenclature is politically acceptable in your opinion?
Amazingly, out of 52 opinions, 46 percent consisting of 24 votes opined Zomi as the best acceptable nomenclature for the Zo people. Sisteen votes (31%) go for Mizo and 9 and 3 votes for Kuki and Chin.
The first and foremost thing to do is, properly digest the terms of the nomenclatures which were given to the Zo people by several great scholars of the world. Only then, we would be clear which one is acceptable. I am not trying to convince this or that is the most acceptable. It totally depends on you. Here are the terms:
ZOMI / MIZO
The term 'Zomi' meaning, Zo+mi 'Zo People' is derived from the generic name 'Zo', the progenitor of the Zomis. Mizo is the reverse of Zomi. Pu T. Gougin quoted "it should be Zomi not Mizo, because when God created the universe. He starts with the earth and only then human being. Therefore, Zo should come first and mi should follow suit"
CHIN
As already mentioned, in Burma the Zomi are known as Chin. It has since become a matter of great controversy how this terminology originated. In this respect many scholars advanced different theories. B. S. Carey and H. N. Tuck asserted it to be a Burmese corruption of the Chins word “Jin” or “Jen” which means man. Prof. F. K. Lehman was of the view that the term might be from the Burmese word ‘Khyan” which means ‘basket’, saying,
“The term ‘Chin’ is imprecise. It is a Burmese word (khyan), not a Chin Word. It is homologous with the contemporary Burmese word meaning basket”.
Implied thus is that the basket carrying inhabitants of the Chin Hills bordering the plain Burmans are Chin.
KUKI
Probably the first recorded used of the name “Kuki” appeared in the History of Tripura as early as 1512 AD . During the reign of Tripura Raja Dhanya Manikya (around 1490 AD), it was pointed out that, wild race called Kukees live Thannangchi Forest of Tripura. Yet the origin of the word itself is most obscure. The colonial historians divided the Zomi under two names, i.e. the “Kuki” and the “Lushai”. This was clearly demonstrated in the writing of Rawlins. In his paper published in the Asiatic Research Vol. II, p.12 he called the people “Cucis” or “Mountaineers from Tipra” by adopting the name used by the Bengali and Assamese when referring to the Zomi of Chittagong Hill Trace and Tripura Hills. Colonel John Shakespeare clubbed them together and called them “the Lushai-Kuki Clans”.
After reading all this findings, I guess you are clear enough to decide which of the following Nomenclature is politically acceptable?
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