Hmar people

Hmar is the name of one of the numerous Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes of India, spread over a large area in the northeast. The Hmars belong to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of tribes, and are recognised as Scheduled Tribe under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India. They are a community of approximately 100,000 in Assam, although there are more in Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. The Hmars in olden days were known as war people, they Beheaded 500 British Soldiers and were known as head hunters. Later the Britishers sent missionaries as they could not get into Hmar people area thus converting them to Christianity.

Literally, Hmar means North or Northern people, as they are living north to the Lusei people. But this is hotly debated among the community itself. Some scholars are of the opinion that the word originated from the style of tying the hair knot on the head.

Area

Hmars live mostly in the hills of south Manipur, Mizoram, Cachar, Dima Hasao, Meghalaya, Tripura and Chittagong Hill Tracts. Although these areas are within different administrative divisions, they are geographically connected. In Manipur, the Hmars reside in the south, especially in the Churachandpur District and its adjoining areas. These areas, except Tuithaphai, are hilly. Tuiruong (Barak), Tuivai and Tuithapui are some of the important rivers flowing through this area. In Mizoram, the Hmars live mostly in the north, especially in the Aizawl District. In Assam, the Hmars live in the Cachar and North Cachar District. In Meghalaya, the Hmars live in the Jaintia Hills District and Shillong in Khasi Hills District. In Tripura, the Hmars mostly live in and around Darchawi, a village on the Mizoram – Tripura border.