The Mara (, ; , ), also historically known as ''Lakher'', are an ethnic group native to

Mizoram Mizoram is a states and union territories of India, state in northeastern India, with Aizawl as its Capital city, capital and largest city. It shares 722-kilometres (449 miles) of international borders with Bangladesh to the west, and Myanmar t ...

, India, and

Chin State Chin State (, ) is a state in western Myanmar. Chin State is bordered by Sagaing Division and Magway Division to the east, Rakhine State to the south, the Chattogram Division of Bangladesh to the west, and the Indian states of Mizoram to th ...

, Myanmar.

Ethnonyms

While the community refers to themselves as Maras, various exonyms have been used by neighbouring tribes and colonial authorities. The Lushei referred to them as ''Lakher''. Early British records called them ''Shendu'' before adopting the Lushei term.

Geography

Maraland is divided between India and Myanmar, straddling the international border.

West Maraland

West Maraland lies in

, India. It constitutes a distinct administrative region with its own

Siaha district Siaha district is one of the eleven districts of Mizoram state in India. The district is bounded on the northwest by Lunglei district, on the north and west by Lawngtlai District and on the south and east by Myanmar. The district occupies an ar ...

and enjoys autonomy through the

Mara Autonomous District Council Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) is one of the three Autonomous District Councils within Mizoram state of India. It covers Siaha subdivision and Tipa subdivision of Siaha district. Primarily, an autonomous administrative government mea ...

East Maraland

East Maraland is located in

, Myanmar. It is divided into two main areas: Thantlang District (locally known as "Chha Mara") and Matupi District ("Fei Mara").

History

Early migrations

The Mara people are believed to have migrated from the north, driven southward by pressure from the east. They initially settled between Leitak and Leisai, eventually crossing the

Kaladan River The Kaladan (, ) or Kissapanadi River (, ), also known as the Beino, Bawinu and Kolodyne, is a river in the eastern Mizoram, Mizoram State of India, and in Chin State and Rakhine State of western Myanmar. The Kaladan River is called the Chhimtuip ...

and establishing a settlement in Phusa in the Lushai Hills. From Phusa, they moved to Beukhi, where two subgroups—the Siaha and Saiko Tlongsais—emerged, each establishing new settlements named

Siaha Siaha (official name given by the Mara Autonomous District Council, popularly known as Saiha) is a town and headquarters of Saiha District and the Mara Autonomous District Council in southern Mizoram, northeast India. It is the fourth most pop ...

and Serkawr, respectively. It is estimated that the Mara have been settled in the Lushai Hills for approximately 300 to 400 years.

Notes

References

External links

Chakhei.com: The first town portal in Maraland

The history of the Mara people on maraland.net
{{Authority control Kuki tribes Scheduled Tribes of India Ethnic groups in India Ethnic groups in Myanmar