The Zanniat tribe is a tribe of the Chin nationality in Burma (Myanmar). Its existence was recorded (alongside its sub-tribes) in Burma's 1931 Census. In 1943, H.N.C. Stevenson recorded multiple tribes in the Falam Township, including the Zanniat. Although only three subtribes were officially recorded by the census, there are many more subtribes and clans associated with Zanniat, 57 in total. In the Chin Hills Gazetteer of 1896, the Zanniat tribe name had been completely ignored. Stevenson noted that "in some extraordinary way, this large tribe completely escaped the notice of the authors of the Chinn Hill Gazetteer, who lumped them together with the Tashon."
Contents
Land
The Zanniat tribe lives in a region spanning from the hilly regions in the eastern part of the Manipuri river in Chin state to the plain areas of Sagaing division in Burma. In the Chin state, the ancestral land of Zanniat tribe is within the Falam Township. The Manipuri river flowing from north to east within the Falam Township of Chin state makes the clear natural boundary of Zanniat land within the Falam township and the Chin state. The land stretches from the eastern part of the Manipuri river of Falam township and meets with the western Sagaing division. In the north, it borders the land of Ngawn tribe within the Falam township and also borders the Tedim township. At south to the east, the Manipuri river naturally separates the land from other tribes in Falam township and the Sagaing division.
In 1943, H N. C Stevenson recorded Zanniat tribe and map along with other tribes of Central Chin Hills in his book The Economics of Central Chin Tribes.
Zanniat Land
Forest
The land has thick vegetation with wild animals. Some famous forests include the Khuanghlum, Lianthar, and Ngalsip forests.
Towns and Villages
There are 34 villages and towns within Zanniat land in Chin hills as of 2016.
Name
The Zanniat tribe is also known in different names that are very close in accent, such as Zahnyiet, Zanniet, Zanngiat, or Zannaing.
Language
Zanniat is one of the languages spoken in Falam township of Chin state in Burma (Myanmar). Academically, Zanniat falls under the Sino-Tibetan language.
History
Zanniat people trace their ancestry to Chin, identified themselves as Tibeto-Burman, and believed that they were from Mongolia of China.
Settlement in plain area to mountains
Early Chin people settled in the western plain areas of Sagaing, which was known as Kauka or Vingpui, later known as Kale. The name Vingpui refers to a type of fort made of bricks. Due to invasions of tribes from Manipur people from Vingpui escape to several directions which led to the forefathers of Zanniat tribe to settle in the mountainous land, currently in Chin state.
Early settlement in Chin hills
The forefathers of Zanniat people moved from Vingpui to mountainous areas.
Religion
Traditionally, Zanniat people believed in the existence of a supernatural being called Pathian. The people also believed in other spiritual beings known as Khuazing, to whom they offered sacrifices in return for favors and blessings. People also believed in the existence of bad spiritual beings like demons such as Khawsia.
The first Protestant Christian missionaries that came to the Chin Hills were Rev Arthur Carson and Laura Carson, a couple from American Baptist Mission arrived in the Chin Hills on March 15, 1899, A.D. In 1906 A.D, Thang Tsin became the first Christian among Zanniat people through the missionaries. Roman Catholic mission came later to Zanniat people. After Christianity was introduced by early missionaries, the majority of Zanniat people have been converted into Christians which also largely influence the social and cultural changes to the whole tribe.