The Mizo calendar is a traditional lunisolar calendar utilized by the Mizo people of northeast India. This calendar comprises 12 months, each closely associated with the cultural, agricultural, and spiritual practices of the Mizo people.[1]
Traditionally, the Mizo people observed the moon's phases. They counted approximately 14 days from the moon's first appearance in the sky to its full moon phase. Similarly, they believed it took another 14 days for the moon to fade completely after the full moon stage. The 15th night, when the moon neither fully waxed nor waned, was considered unique and not part of either phase. Based on these calculations, each lunar month was determined to be 29 days long.[2]
The sun begins its southward journey; cultivation in jhum fields.
June
Vawkhniahzawn thla
Weather and Climate
Peak rainfall season.
July
Thitin thla
Spiritual/Sacred season
Period of solemnity; marriage and merrymaking are forbidden.
August
Mimkût thla
Agriculture/festival
Harvesting corn
September
Khuangchawi thla
Agriculture/festival
Festive season with the brightest moonlight.
October
Sahmulphah thla
Weather and Climate
Onset of the winter season.
November
Pawltlak thla
Agriculture
End of the agricultural year; harvesting rice.
December
Summer solstice
The Mizo people identified the 21st day of the Nikir month as the longest day of the year, known in modern terms as the summer solstice. They referred to this day as Lalmanga Nu Lawmrawih Ni—a name rooted in an enduring local folktale. The term Nikir translates to "returning of the sun."[citation needed]
According to tradition, a widow called Lalmanga Nu (lit. 'mother of Lalmanga') recognised the significance of this day and annually encouraged her friends to work in her jhum fields on the 21st day of Nikir to maximize labour input during the longest day. After Lalmanga Nu Lawmrawih Ni, the Mizo believed that the sun began its "return," causing days to grow progressively shorter.[3]
↑ Lalmalsawmzauva, K.C. (February 2016). "Mizo Indigenous Calendar: A Source of Mizo Indigenous Knowledge and Identity". researchgate.net. Retrieved 24 December 2024. There were 12 months in the Mizo Indigenous calendar, which were chiefly associated with agriculture practice system; their knowledge on weather, climate and surrounding environments has been clearly revealed.
↑ Dokhuma, James (2004). Tawng Un Hrilfiahna (in Mizo). R. Lalrawna.
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