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Draft:Hmar Clans

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hmar clans
Hmar Pahnam
Languages
Hmar language, Thiek Language & Faihriem language
Religion
Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Mizo, Chin, Kuki

The Hmar clans (known as Pahnam or Laibung) are the main patrilineal social groups of the Hmar people, an indigenous ethnic group of Northeast India found in Manipur, Mizoram and Assam. Hmar society is organised into a number of clans and sub-clans. Members of each clan traditionally claim descent from a common male ancestor.[1][2]

Overview

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The Hmar follow a strict patrilineal clan system. A person belongs to the clan of their father and clan membership passes from father to children. Clans are exogamous, meaning a Hmar must marry outside his or her own clan. In the past, breaking this rule was considered a serious social offence. Clans are further divided into sub‑clans and lineages (phung or sungkuo). Clan names often refer to a real or mythical ancestor, a place, or a historical event.[3][4]

Clans and sub-clans

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Ethnographers have recorded major Hmar clans and sub-clans. The most widely recognised clans include:

Darngawn
Ruolngul Faiheng Tlau Fatlei
Banzang Sinate Famhawite (Famhoite) Chonghmunte
Lamchangte Sanate
Faihriem
Saivate Khawral Khawkheng Tuollai
Tuimuol Bapui Tusing Khawlum
Sekong Seling Thlangnung Salhmar
Dulien Aimuol Khawhrang Sote
Thanghnieng
Ngurtedescendants of Santleichal
Sanate Saingur Zallien Bungran
Chiluon Singa Tuolthla Para Thla
Pusingathla Saidangthla
Hrangkhol
Ponatu Phuoitong Dumker Cholkha
Khuolhring (Khawlhring)
Lungen Thlaute Midang Leidir
Suokling Chunthang Lozun Pieltel
Milai Rawlsim Khintung Zahrin
Khawbungdescendants of Tingkul
Fenate (Fente) Pangamte Pazamte Riengsete
Laising Muolphei Phunte (Punte) Bunglung
Sierthlang Siersak
Lawitlang
Hrangchal Laiasung Sielasung Darasung
Tungte Sungte Suomte Tlawmte
Chawnsim
Rawite
Pieltu Sawrte Buite Arro
Zate Aite Hnungte Seldo
Zote[5] (Joute)descendants of Vanso
Pusiete Chuonkhup Singphun Hriler
Chawnghau Chawngvawr Buonsuong Chawngtuol
Barkhawlai Tlangte Parate Saihmang (Saiate, Sailung, Saite)
Ngaiate Chawnhnieng Darte Darkhawlai
Vaithang Thangsuok Maubuk Hrangngam
Hrangdo Hrangate Chawngsieksim Ngaite (Hauler, Tlurha, Saichawnkhup, Sailientuol)
Hmangte Chante (Chamte) Hrangsote Parate (Bualthang, Khawtial, Rualngai, Zani)
Leiri
Neingaite Puruolte Pudaite Pulamte
Puhnuongte Thlandar
Changsan
Zilchung Zilhmang Ngulthuom Ngaithuom
Hrawte Hranhnieng Chaileng Thangngen
Kellu Armei
Ṭhiek[6]
Athu Amaw (Amo) Tuolor Thilsong
Buhril Hekte Ralsun Chawnghekte
Thluchung (TC) Kungate Selate Tuolte
Ṭaite Hnamte Kangbur Khawzawl
Lalum Laldau Saibung Vankal
Pangote Pangulte Khawbuol Pakhumate
Khumthur Khumsen Thlihran Tamte
Hmante Chawnnel Zate
Lungṭau
Mihriemate Songate Infimate (Fimate) Nungate
Intoate Lungchuong Inbuon Pasulate
Keivawm (Keivom) Tamhrang Sielhnam Theisiekate
Thlawngate Khumsen Khumthur Sunate

[4][7]

Social functions

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Hmar clans regulate several aspects of daily life:

  • Marriage: A Hmar cannot marry a person from the same clan. Any breach of clan exogamy was traditionally punished by social boycott.[8]
  • Inheritance: Property and family name are passed through the male line. The youngest son often inherits the family house.
  • Rituals: In pre‑Christian times, each clan had its own ancestral worship (Sakhuo) and specific sacrifices. Today, most Hmars are Christian, but clan identity remains strong in church and community gatherings.[3]

History and origin

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Oral traditions say all Hmar clans descend from a common ancestor named Hmar. The clans then split as families grew and migrated. Some clans, like the Thiek and Lungtau, are believed to be the older ruling clans because most clans belongs to them. The clan system preserved the history and genealogy of the Hmar people before written was introduced.[3]

References

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  1. Sanate, Crossthang (2014). "Family and Kinship Among the Hmar Society" (PDF). Researchjournali's Journal of Sociology. 2 (12). ISSN 2347-8241.
  2. Hazarika, Udayan; Borah, Ashim (2017). Ethnographic Report on the Hmars of Assam. Assam Institute of Research for Tribals and Scheduled Castes.
  3. 1 2 3 Dena, Lal (2008). In Search of Identity: Hmars of North-East India. Akansha Publishing House, pp. 34–36. ISBN 978-81-8370-163-7.
  4. 1 2 Cite error: The named reference Kamkhenthang1991 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. Hrangchhuana, H.B. (1987). Hmar Chanchin (Hmar History) (1st ed.). India: Hmar Students Association Jt Hqrs Aizawl, Mizoram. pp. 4–10.
  6. "Hmar Clans". Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  7. Lalthansangi, R. (2015). "Clan System among the Hmar of Mizoram", Mizo Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 60–65.
  8. Thangchungnunga, R. (2018). "Clan and Lineage among the Hmar: Continuity and Change", Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol. 3, No. 1, p. 15.

Category:Hmar Category:Hmar people Category:Clans by nation Category:Ethnic groups in Northeast India

See also

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