Mizo religion

Mizo religion, also known as Lushai animism, is an indigenous polytheistic ethnic religion that was practiced by the majority of the Mizo people before conversions to Christianity which started with the British annexation of the region. As of the 2001 census, 1,367 people practiced the Mizo religion.

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.

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.