Political History
Khongso land was a separate land with its own boundaries for centuries. No Burmese king had occupied and ruled the land. History says that the successive Burmese dynasties until 1885 had never included the . It was only in 1928 that the British included Chin land as a part of the . Even though the Khongso land was a separate territory, there were no kings for tribal Chiefs rather heads of various clans were the local rulers and the protectors of their respective clans. Each man had to guard his family with swords, shields and lances because of feuds, which came to cease only after the British annexation of Khongso land. The people were administered by the headmen of villages.
After was wholly occupied on 1st January 1886, the British forces were sent through the Southern Chin State in 1888–1929. The British rule on the land lasted till 1929. The Khongso people were famously known and appreciated by the British forces because of their bravery, courage, and determinative nature in their resistance to the forces. At present, the people of the land live with peace and freedom from any colonial government.
Migration
The Khongsos migrated from Chinlung through Himalayas, and reached Chindwin Valley around 9th century A.D. It is located in Eastern part of . Basing on the traditional and anthropological studies, G. A. Grierson said that these groups are the people belonging to Mongoloids of Kuki-Chin group of Tibeto-Burma family. According to the record of Lian H. Sakhong, “the Chin people were the first who settled in the .” Then, there is also persistent reference in the legends of almost all the Chin tribes (Asho, Matu, Mindat, Kanpalet, Paletwa, Hakha, Falam, Tedim) to a former home in the Chindwin Valley. According to tradition prevailing among the Khongso, they have migrated from various places around present Hakha, and Rezua, where they settled for some time and then came to present Khongso land which they have been occupying at least for four hundred years now. But beyond that even oral traditions of the Khongso do not indicate any clue to the place of their origin.
Settlement
The Khongso group came to their present habitat with other groups from , that is, to and Chindwin Valley of Myanmar. According to Khongso forefathers and the story of oral tradition, the first settlement was in the , but unfortunately when it was destroyed by the flood, they crossed and moved to a big cave called Mintuempaa puk (Lailun in Chin). After staying there for some years, they moved down to Western land of Chin State; Hakha and Matupi, and at last settled down around Hmuet and Phoisang Hill Ranges around 14th century. These hill ranges stretch over western part of Matupi Township between Pamai and Chakhine villages, 40 miles away from Matupi Town. According to the record of British captain Burn, Phoisang Hill was called “Lepring Hill.”
The story says that this migration was forced down on them both by the strong people of and a great famine. Regarding the time and date of their departure from it is not recorded, but it would probably be during the 13th century. But according to Lian H. Sakhong, “Although we do not know exactly when and why, the date can be set approximately to the first years of 13th century or the beginning of 14th century.” After settling down for many years in Hmuet and , some of the Khongso migrated to and Mi River. At present they are staying between Phoisang Hill Range and Kima Mountain. Most of Khongso people live in these villages: Lui Vang, Bawi Ring (A), Bawi Ring (B), Suipinkung, Vadaengkung, Pahangkung, Zongkung, Saekung, Dawkung, Lakangkung, Toengkung, Paakung, Suisip, Laekkung Tuiqongkung, Lamoi, and Cingcang. And some of Khongsos live in these villages with other tribes: Dai Hnan, Khua Hung, Pai (Auk Cangki), Tawkkung, Boilee, Ka Naung, Sami town, Ayangkung, and Halawkkung. And nowadays some of Khongso people migrate and live in Yangon, Myanmar and even foreign countries like India, Malaysia, Canada, USA, Australia, and Norway.
| Early settlement memory | Chindwin Valley, then Mintuempaa puk, later western Chin areas |
|---|---|
| Approximate period noted | First years of the 13th century or beginning of the 14th century |
| Modern diaspora places listed | India, Malaysia, Canada, USA, Australia, and Norway |
Visual Cultural Context
This image better supports the politics, migration, and settlement page because it shows a lived relationship between people and land rather than repeating a generic village view.
