On The Songbird’s Trail
Travelling through the eight Northeastern states, the sheer diversity of the land mesmerises you. The raw natural beauty, rare orchids and butterfl ies, brightly painted monasteries, challenging rivers, intricately woven tribal shawls, indigenous sports – each one has its own special message to the tourist as he passes from one state to another.
As the TE traveller hits the road again, he brings before you the less explored songbird of the Northeast – Mizoram.
Sociable, hospitable and fun loving, the Mizos are supposed to be one of the finest choir singers in the North East. Living in the heart of nature, being woken up by bird song reflects their great affinity to the most attractive features of the land in which they live.
Mizo is the collective name of various tribes: Lushais, Pawis, Paithes, Raltes, Pang, Hmars, and Kukis etc. ‘Mi’ means man and ‘Zo’ means mountain or cold. Th e neighbouring people considered them as tough people from the cold mountains.
Not many people are even aware that the Tropic of Cancer passes through Aizawl. It gives this fi rst city of Mizoram, an exotic twist. Citadel-like, it stands upon its lofty perch on a ridge overlooking the lush Tlawng River valley. To its north, lie the rugged hills of Durtlang where there’s an interesting zoological garden. Explore the museum, which stocks an interesting collection of costumes, artifacts and historical relics that are an important window to Mizo culture.
It is also a great base to explore the enchanting off erings of the abode of the highlanders.
Aizawl is a treasure-trove for nature lovers and eco-tourists.
MUST VISITS
BORA BAZAR: If you enjoy shopping, then this is the right place to fi nd exquisite curios and other unusual pieces of art. Various local handicraft items can also be found here.
LUANGMUAL HANDICRAFTS CENTRE: Famous for its beautiful bamboo hats named, ‘khumbou’. The handicrafts centre is 7 kilometres away from Aizwal.
TAMDIL: It is the largest lake of Mizoram, and a fi shing firm as well. It is also a much preferred destination for picnics because of its picturesque beauty.
DAMPA: A wildlife sanctuary occupying over 572 square kilometres and home to various animals like tigers, elephants, bears, bisons and deer.
VANTAWANG: It is the biggest and most beautiful fall in Mizoram.
PHAWNGPUI, the Blue Mountain of Mizoram is a highly revered peak, considered to be the abode of the Gods. Famous for orchids and rhododendron, it has spectacular trees and fl owers of all colours. Phawngpui presents a fairytale view of the blue hazed hills, and valleys folding below.
Located about 130 km from the state capital Aizawl, Vairengte is another picture postcard destination in Mizoram, surrounded by lush green vegetation. Vast tracts of thick forest cover Vairengte’s sparsely populated hilly terrain. Th e mist-laden valleys look celestial as you pass by the routes from Aizawl to Vairengte. Th is land in full bloom, with its warm, gracious and hospitable people, who are full of zest for life, music and cheer is a must visit destination for the tourists longing for a pure and peaceful environ.
To this day, the Mizos have kept alive their rich and unique cultural heritage. It boasts of a number of folk and community dances having a unique tribal flavour and get passed down over the generations. Th e most popular of these dances is the ‘cheraw’ (bamboo-dance). This dance is referred to as the bamboo dance, as bamboos are used in its performance. The dancers move by stepping alternately in and out from between and across a pair of horizontal bamboos, held against the ground, by people sitting face to face on either sides. They tap the bamboos open and close in rhythmic beats. Other popular dances are ‘khuallam’ (dance for visitors or guests) and‘ chheih lam’ (performed at the end of a day’s work).
SHOPPING
A visit to Mizoram is incomplete if you don’t take home a water-proof Mizo hat (khumbou) made with bamboo and leaves, as a souvenir. You’ll find a good selection of traditional handloom shawls, bags and bamboo handicrafts in Bora Bazar. If you are looking for variety and better quality crafts, the state government emporium is a good place to start your shopping spree. Some of the other markets you can explore are New Market, Ritz Market, Bazar Bungkawn, Thakthing Bazar, Burma Lane and Solomon Cave.
An interesting feature of Mizo society is that it is bound by tradition which requires every Mizo to be hospitable, kind and unselfish, and helpful to the poor and needy. So one can definitely expect a warm welcome if you happen to make a sudden visit there.
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