Sakhua (lit. "deity divine force"), also known as Mizo religion, Lushai animism or Khua worship, is a traditional polytheistic ethnic faith practiced by the Mizo people prior to the widespread adoption of Christianity during the British annexation of Mizoram. As of the 2001 census, 1,367 people in Mizoram continued to practice this indigenous faith.Table ST-14a, Indian Census 2001
Etymology Various arguments have been provided on the meaning of the syllables and . Lalbiakthanga provides a literal translation denoting () and (). Expanding upon meanings, other authors such as Liangkhaia argued that refers to the origin of which a person individually belongs by birth via the clan, tribe or family they descend. Liangkhaia argues component represents regarded as the watcher or keeper of the term representing village. In placing the interpretation of within the context of , is seen as the root and origin of men and their clans and as the representation of as sustainer, protector and benefactor of human destiny.
is strongly identified with the concept of fate. Terms such as () holds the equivalent usage of God's will in the Chrisitan context of Mizo society.
Definitions Vanlaltlani defines Sakhua as the worship of a benevolent unseen God, Pathian, who resides in heaven and acts as the creator, protector, and benefactor of all creation. She also considers that animism was just one element of the Sakhua belief system.Vanlaltlani, T. Tribal religion: Mizo and Bru. Mizo Theological Association, 1998.
In contrast, Saiaithanga states that Sakhua does not involve the worship of Pathian or the Ramhuai (spirits dwelling in forests and lands). Instead, it focuses on Khuavang, regarded as the spirit that provides protection and blessings.Saiaithanga. Mizo Sakhua. Maranatha Printing Press, 1981.
Rev. Liangkhaia explains Sakhua as rooted in spirit appeasement, involving sacrificial rituals led by a priest () to honor the Ramhuai. He further interprets "Sa" as signifying a clan and "Khua" as the village's protector.Liangkhaia, R. Mizo chanchin. Aizawl: Mizo Academy of Letters, 1976. Zairema shares this view, considering Sakhua the guardian spirit representing a clan's identity.Zairema. Kristian nih hmaa Mizo sakhua. In Mizo Miziaa Pathian thu (pp. 1–38). Synod Publication Board, 1988.
Stories Creation of the Earth Khuazingnu was considered as the benevolent deity who created the earth and everything on it. It was assumed that she also created the environment that surrounded all creation. This included the land that encompassed the entire earth. Finally, Khuazingnu solved the problem. She'd open the skylights. After that, she would fling water from these exact windows out of the sky and onto the barren dryness of the soil, all to keep the greenery that was slowly but surely dwindling. To this day, many Mizos shout that "the goddess of the heavens is dousing us with water."Pachuau, Margaret. Folklore from Mizoram. Kolkata: Writers Workshop, 2013.
Then, Khuazingnu placed a representative couple from each human tribe and animal species in a cave. And once everyone was inside, she blocked the cave with a massive boulder known as Chhinlung. After generations were born inside the cave, Khuazingnu lifted the Chhinlung rock, believing that enough people had been born to repopulate the earth. The many clans emerged from the cave in large numbers. When the Ralte clan, noted for being loud and boisterous, emerged from the cave, Khuazingnu decided to reposition the Chhinlung rock over the cave's mouth, believing that the Ralte clan's huge noise had drawn enough people out. Till today, the Ralte clan is known as "Ralte bengchheng," which translates to "noisy/rowdy Ralte."Chhangte, Cherrie L. Mizo Myths. Chennai: Blaft Publications, 2023.
Deities Pathian Pathian is considered the supreme God who created the world and all that there is in it. The tribal Mizos worshipped Pathian as it was believed that Pathian was kind-hearted and would always help those who sought it. It is believed that Pathian bestows the righteous with blessings and good fortune and punishes the wicked with calamities and misfortunes.
Pathian's personalities Despite these forms of Pathian and aspects represented, the Mizos traditionally did not pray to or worship any of the other forms.
() is a benevolent spirit who was the Pathian family's grandfather and most likely the father of Pathian. He is worshipped as the god of nature. As he is endowed with the power of thunder and lightning, he can be compared and seen parallel to Indra of the Hindu religion.
Vanchungnula () was believed to be the damsel in the family of Pathian and is the goddess of rain and water. It is said that she is Pathian's daughter and would pour water whenever humans require it.
Vanhrika is the God of science and magic.
Khuanu The Mizos revered the feminine deity Khuanu, meaning 'mother of nature'. She is the wife of Pathian and is a benevolent Goddess who blesses humans as a matriarchal figure. Khuanu is assumed to be a representation of Pathian's loving nature.
Spirits Benevolent spirit are benevolent spirits who have never caused harm to people but rather help in their difficulties. They are seen as glittering fairies. They are thought to live in high places, such as mountains or hills. Khuavang are a symbol of kindness and abundance. It is believed that the Khuavang bestow many children and long married lives on humans.
is a hunting spirit. She is classified as a naked fairy of all jungle life. Her blessings were needed for successful hunting expeditions. Their main inhabiting location is described as the Vanlaiphai ranges.
is known as the guardian spirit. The spirit is associated with people's lives and well-being. Every living creature is thought to have a (soul), and as long as the soul remained in the body, the person was considered to be alive. If a person had a terrifying experience, such as being mauled by wild animals or captured by an enemy, the soul was similarly terrified, and a sacrifice was required to restore proper and normal relations with the "khaltu." If the experience was further intensified, a goat was sacrificed; the tail was severed and tied around the neck with a string. Breaking this string was a serious offence for the Mizos, possibly as serious as breaking the sacred tread for Hindus.
were believed to be of queer varying shapes, sometimes resembling humans or grotesque representations much larger and colossal in relation to human size. Some possessed curly hair, or eyes in a vertical line down the centre of the brow. Some were believed to have massive bosoms hanging downwards or have one leg. The forms of are omniscient and took on any shape. Furthermore, traditionally no Mizos claimed to have witnessed a for it would lead to social ostracization. The exception for witnessing are dreams where one can have contact with one.
A was typically found in natural locations such as high mountains, caves, under water, cracks in rocks, large rocks, holes in the earth, water springs, waterfalls and large trees.
is a spirit that was a large and dark creature of colossal size. They were thought to frequent roads and paths, causing humans to suffer from insanity and epilepsy. Convulsions or spasms in children were also thought to be caused by the "phung's" displeasure.
was a spirit responsible for sadness and grief by ruining a person with a curse of an evil eye. The spirit was seen as consumed by greed to possess the riches of others. It would watch people's food and drink with evil eyes. As it was believed these spirits possessed food and drink, the Mizos would offer a portion of their food to the evil spirits before eating and drinking. If someone was thought to be possessed by "khawhring," it was almost legal to kill that person.
was an evil spirit that was thought to afflict both humans and animals as a forerunner of death. This spirit roams the night, looking for humans and animals on the verge of death. It would sometimes produce eerie noises as it hovered around the house of one that was dying. if one were to approach the it would disappear at will and unable to be approached. This was similar to "Yamraj", in Hinduism.
was a spirit who would grant wishes and rewards for a heavy price. The price for receiving from the would often be actions of sinister or hostile nature. It was described as having only one leg and was hasty in that if its wish was not fulfilled quickly it would depart quickly. In some cases it would punish individuals with sickness and misfortune.
was a hypnotising spirit or disturbed others during sleep. As it was a harmless spirit, children would sleep in gardens outside in an attempt to communicate with it. was a spirit known for frightening people. The would scare people working in the fields and were considered powerful without an appearance. was a spirit similar to the will of the wisp phenomenon. was the spirit that instigated crab poisoning. was the spirit known as the skinner of heads. was a spirit that kidnapped humans. The people who went out to travel would be taken by and disappear without a trace. was a demon who threw stones at people. The typically live in trees in caves and are known to go as far as to beat people.
is a spirit which inhabits a corpse. Much like a zombie, the spirit enters both animals or humans and reanimates them. The do not harm living beings. A inhabits an individual who dies from exposure to the elements, such as snow or rain.
was a that caused sickness to humans who consumed water from clear looking springs. Sacrifices would be placed around springs and special sacrifices made so that any hunting attempts of animals would not be disrupted around the spring.
was a who would trouble women and their duties. The spirit would cause wood loads to topple, baskets to fall, rice to overboil and objects becoming lost. To deal with the hijinks, a chair fit for mother would be made to appease it.
Priesthood An individual who carried out a religious activity was known as a . There were three types of .
A was a village priest who belonged to the Chief. Each clan of the Mizos had their own but they weren't as influential or important as the (). The handled all ceremonies and rituals conducted by the chief himself. The priesthood of was hereditary with some elements of selection and discretion of appointment. The village chief has the power to place confidence in a or remove him. For their service, a could claim taxation for the rituals with the left foreleg of an animal. Most were descended and part of the Hauhnar clan of the Lusei tribe.
A is a helper or assistant of the . The held equal hierarchy with the as they could take over the role of a if they couldn't carry out the rituals. A was essentially compulsory for a . A carried out prayers related to divination and often acted as a fortune teller or soothsayer for individuals participating in rituals. They were appointed by the chief and tended to be a friend or ally of the chief, and were removed by the chief if they lost confidence. Only the Lusei claim of the Mizos had a .