The following is a list of notable Zo people, an umbrella term covering the Mizo, Chin, Kuki, Zomi, Hmar, Lai (Pawi), Mara (Lakher), and related Kuki-Chin language-speaking ethnic groups of Northeast India, western Myanmar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
Bnei Menashe
Daniel Lhungdim – scholar, songwriter, poet
Chin
Benjamin Sum – singer and runner-up of Myanmar Idol Season 4 Cheery Zahau – human rights and women's rights activist, politician, writer and peace leader; founder of the Women's League of Chinland; winner of UNDP's N-Peace Awards (2017) Esther Dawt Chin Sung – singer; winner of Myanmar Idol Season 4 Henry Van Thio – politician; Vice-President of Myanmar (2016–2024) Khai Kam Suantak (fl. 1867) – chief who ruled over the largest territory in the Chin Hills; Khai Kam College in Kalemyo was named in his honor (later renamed Kale College) Lian Hmung Sakhong – politician Salai Lian Luai – lawyer, previous Chief Minister of Chin State Taik Chun – recipient of the Aung San Thuriya medal, the highest Burmese military award for gallantry Thet Mon Myint – actress and two-time recipient of the Myanmar Academy Award Zoramthanga (1963-2005) – boxer; bronze medallist at the 1990 Bombay Boxing World Cup
Hmar
Lal Dena – Manipur and Mizoram historian Lalmuanpuia Punte – political advisor to the Chief Minister of Mizoram Lalnghinglova Hmar – journalist and football administrator; honorary secretary of the Mizoram Football Association Lalremsiami Hmarzote – field hockey player Lalthlamuong Keivom – Indian diplomant and writer Ngurdinglien Sanate – former Minister of Manipur Ngursanglur Sanate – member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Rochunga Pudaite – evangelist and Bible translator; founder of Bibles for the World
Kuki
Nemcha Kipgen – Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur T. N. Haokip – six-time MLA from Saikot; former Manipur cabinet minister and President of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee
Lai (Pawi)
David Van Bik – Lai Bible translator Joshua Van – mixed martial artist; UFC Flyweight Champion (2025–present); first Asian-born male UFC champion and second-youngest UFC champion in history Lal Thanhawla (see also under Mizo) – whose maternal lineage connects to the Lai community of Lawngtlai
Mara (Lakher)
Hiphei – politician; seven-time MLA and former Speaker of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly K. Beichhua – politician and surgeon; MLA from Saiha
Mizo
Politics and public service A. Thanglura – member of Indian Parliament; first Mizo law graduate B. Lalchhanzova – politician and social worker Buangi Sailo – writer, poet and composer; Padma Shri (2011) Ch. Chhunga – first Chief Minister of Mizoram Esther Hnamte – child singer and prodigy James Dokhuma – poet, writer and former insurgent; Padma Shri (1985) K. Vanlalvena – member of Parliament at the Rajya Sabha L. Z. Sailo – writer and former Indian Army captain; Padma Bhushan (2007) Lal Thanhawla – longest-serving Chief Minister of Mizoram Lalbiakthanga Pachuau – journalist; Padma Shri (2021) Laldenga – founder of the Mizo National Front; first Chief Minister of the State of Mizoram Lalduhoma – current Chief Minister of Mizoram Lalsangzuali Sailo – gospel singer, composer and writer; Padma Shri (1998) Laltluangliana Khiangte – playwright and folklorist; Padma Shri (2006) Nuchhungi Renthlei – poet, singer and educator; Padma Shri (1986) R. Rothuama – member of Indian Parliament Sangthankima – social worker; Padma Shri (2024) Brigadier Ṭhenphunga "T." Sailo – second Chief Minister of Mizoram; founder of the Mizoram People's Conference; Padma Shri (1999) Vanlal Dawla – boxer Vandula – chief of the Haulawng subclan Ziona – leader of Lalpa Kohhran Thar and Guinness World Records holder of the "world's largest existing family" Zoramthanga – former Chief Minister of Mizoram and president of the Mizo National Front
Religion, theology and literature Chuauṭhuama – Presbyterian minister and biblical scholar; first Mizo to earn a degree from Cambridge University; Chief Translator of the Mizo Bible Revised Version project under the Bible Society of India Hannah Lalhlanpuii – author and academic J. F. Laldailova – writer and officer in the Indian English Army Joy L. Pachuau – author and writer Lalsawma – social worker, missionary and peace negotiator during the Mizo insurgency; Padma Shri Lalzuia Colney – academic and writer; Padma Shri (2010) R. Lalthantluanga – former professor of biochemistry and vice chancellor of Mizoram University Vankhama – composer and poet Zairema – Presbyterian minister and pioneer theologian; first Mizo to obtain the degrees of BSc and BD; completed the first full translation of the Bible into Mizo (1959); remembered as the "father of the Mizoram Synod"
Sport Daniel Lalhlimpuia – footballer Jeje Lalpekhlua – footballer and politician Jeremy Lalrinnunga – weightlifter; first Indian to win gold at the Youth Olympics; gold medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the men's 67 kg category Jerry Lalrinzuala – footballer Jerry Mawihmingthanga – footballer Jerry Zirsanga – footballer Khawlhring Lalremruata – cricketer Lalengmawia Ralte – footballer known as "Apuia"; plays as a midfielder for Mohun Bagan Super Giant and the India national football team; winner of the ISL Emerging Player of the Season award (2020–21); represented India at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup Lallianzuala Chhangte – footballer known as the "Mizo Flash"; captain of Mumbai City FC; AIFF Men's Player of the Year (2022–23) Lalremsiami – field hockey player; forward for the India women's national field hockey team; first sportsperson from Mizoram to win an Asian Games medal (silver, 2018); Olympian at Tokyo 2020; FIH Rising Star of the Year (2019) Lalrindika Ralte – footballer; captain of East Bengal FC R. Malsawmtluanga – footballer Robert Lalthlamuana – footballer
Zomi
Chin Sian Thang – former chairman of the Zomi Congress for Democracy Khan Thuam – 19th-century Sukte chief; founder of the Sukte paramountcy in the Northern Chin Hills Pau Cin Hau – religious leader and creator of the Pau Cin Hau scripts; founder of the Laipian religion Thangkhangin Ngaihte – president of the Lok Janshakti Party Manipur State Committee Thuam Hang – chief of Khuasak, one of the earliest Christian converts among the Zomi Vungzagin Valte – three-time MLA from Thanlon; former cabinet minister in the Government of Manipur
See also Zo people
References Citations
Sources