The dispersal across international borders resulted from a British colonial policy that drew borders on political, rather than ethnic, grounds.[3]
Ethnonyms
Beginning in the 1990s, the generic name Chin have been rejected by some for "Zomi", a name used by a group speaking Northern Kuki languages.[4] The speakers of the Northern Kuki languages are sometimes lumped together as the Zomi's. Some Zomi nationalists have stated that the use of the label Chin would mean subtle domination by Burmese groups.[5][6]
The Zo people trace their ancestry to the Tibeto-Burman family, migrating from the Mekong River basin thousands of years ago. They settled in the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia and developed distinct linguistic and cultural identities. The term "Zo" is believed to mean "highlander" or "people of the hills."[7][8]
The Zo people, also known as the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group, comprise various tribes primarily inhabiting northeastern India, western Myanmar, and southeastern Bangladesh. These tribes share linguistic and cultural similarities, speaking languages from the Kuki-Chin branch of the Tibeto-Burman family.
Given are some of the prominent subgroups among the Zo people:
Mizo people: Primarily residing in Mizoram, India, the Mizo are known for their rich cultural heritage and traditional dances. The word Mizo literally means a Zo person (Mi = person)
Kuki people: Kuki people are an ethnic group primarily residing in the northeastern states of India—notably Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, and Tripura—as well as in Myanmar and parts of Bangladesh. They are part of the larger Kuki-Chin-Mizo family.
Hmar people: Found in the Indian states of Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam, the Hmar people have a distinct language and cultural practices.
Zomi people: The term Zomi literally means “Zo people” (mi meaning people), and reflects their shared cultural, linguistic, and historical heritage within the broader Zo identity. However, presently it does not refer to the whole Zo Community. They inhabit in parts of Chin State in Myanmar, Manipur and Mizoram in India, and to a lesser extent Bangladesh.
Chin people: Residing mainly in the Chin State of Myanmar, the Chin people encompass various sub-groups with diverse languages and cultures.
Traditionally, Zo people followed animism and practiced ancestral worship.
In the 19th century, Christian missionaries converted many Zo people to Christianity, and today, Christianity (mostly Protestant) is the dominant religion among them. Minorities practice Buddhism, Judaism or indigenous beliefs.[10][11]
↑ History of Zomi T. Gougin – 1984 "In Burma the people like to renounce the term Chin in favour of Zomi. Zomi is becoming more and more popular in Churachandpur district of Manipur adjoining the Chin State of Burma as group identity in repudiating Chin. The term ..."
↑ B. Datta-Ray Tribal identity and tension in north-east India Page 34 1989 "Now to accept the term Chin would mean subtle Paite domination in the matter, which the other groups like the Hmars, Zous, Anals and Koms may not coopt. A Zomi leader categorically stated that 'Chin' is a Burmese word which literally ..."
↑ Keat Gin Ooi – Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East ... – Volume 1 – Page 353 2004 "Until recently, there appeared to be a consensus that the term Chin was not an identity that any of these peoples would choose to describe themselves, ... Some promote the terms Zomi and Zo, stating that they are derived from the name of the mythic common ancestor of all ..."
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Bangladesh, 
India, 
Myanmar 
