Status of the Term Kuki
STATUS OF THE TERM ‘KUKI’ IN THE PAST AND PRESENT: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS Dr Jangkhongam Doungel, Reader, Deptt. of Political Science, Government Lawngtlai College Lawngtlai, Mizoram. 1. Introduction: The term ‘Kuki’ is claimed to have included all the conglomerate tribes of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo or Zo ethnic group of people who trace their common origin from a mythological cave. The so-called mythological cave was known in different names by different tribes of the Chin Kuki ethnic stock, namely, Khul, Khur, Khurpui, Khurtu-bijur, Khor, Puk, Shinlung and Chhinlung. As all the tribes trace their origin to a mythological cave, popularly known as Khul and Chhinlung, ‘Khul or Chhinlung origin people’ can also be literarily used for identifying the Chin-Kuki-Mizo ethnic group of people. Infact, the claim of common origin to Chhinlung or Khul by all the tribes validate the authenticity of the close affinity and inseparable blood relationship of the Chin-Kuki ethnic stock who settle in Indi...