The Chin state located in the Northwest of Myanmar (latitude 20.40 to 5, longitude 92.37 to 94.9) is a very ragged land. Its eastern border faces Sagaing Division and Magwae Division, while the west faces the state of Mizoram in Bangladesh, north the state of Assam in India and south the state of Rakhine.
Population is approx. 450,000 and they spread around within some 9 provinces, which cover some 130,907square miles. Mountain regions start in the north where steep peaks and valleys continue towards south. The highest peak is Mt. Victoria (10,200feet/ 3,109m).
There run many rivers including River Manipur, River Kaladam in the southwest of the Chin state which starts in India going through Chin state into River Rakhine. Rivers in the south-east area of Chin such as River Yaw Creek, Salin Creek and Mon Creek run toward east. Those streams are fast and strong as they run in the hills and valleys. In recent years due to the deforestation for forest resources and cultivation, lot of mud pour into the stream, causing the frequent flood after heavy rain.
PEOPLE
Chins belong to the Tibet-Burma group. There are 52 sub-tribes (some say 42)among the Chin. Many Chins living in the center to the north of the state tend to call themselves Mizo. There are 9 official groups in the Chin state; Tiddim in north, Falam and Hakha with 27 sub-tribes, southern divisions of Mindat, Kanpellet and Matupi have 12, Paletwa and Daletmay have 8, and others with 5.
AGRICULTURE
In the hilly Chin state farming is done at the terrace fields. It is also recommended as terrace fields will strengthen their land and prevent deforestation. In their mountain areas, cattle farming are difficult. There is no large-scale market because it is too hilly for people to walk long distance and gather at one place for daily needs. Chins grow corns, rice, beans, potatoes, mustard, coffee, mandarins, apples, mulberry, and grapes.
SOCIETY
In the central and northern villages of Chin state, some has more than 500 houses and a single tribe chief governs the whole village, whose position is inebriated only by his son. On the other hand, most villages house as little as 15 to 20 units in the southern region and they all belong to the same family, thus family head governs the others. Even today Chin Villages in the Mt. Victoria continues this style.
FESTIVALS
On the Chin National Day (February 20th) some people hold a traditional ceremony and dedicate a cattle for their God but the animism festivals are hardly seen today. Yet there still lives several shamans in southern Chin, one of which is said to be as old as more than 100 years old.
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