A threatened Identity: Social structure and traditional leadership in Cho (Chin) society before Christianity Salai Myo Chit Research Fellow, RCSD Chiang Mai University

Background of the research The research field is in the southern part of Chin State Mainly focus on Kanpetlet and Mindat Township The research information was collected from different dialects

Who are Cho (Chin)? Chin state is located at the western part of Myanmar Cho (Chin) live in the southern part of the Chin state Cho people lived by their own ways of life, Language, culture, belief, Farming, solving problem, values and customs,

Powers and Leadership sectors in Cho society There was mainly two parts of powers sector in Cho community before Christianity The Sacred leaders group The Secular specialists group

Sacred Leaders Group Sacred leader members (1) Ngtaiyϋ (head of sacred leader) (2) Khaw Ngtaiyϋ, (pray for new farms land and crops) (3) Mcha Ngtaiyϋ, (Pray for spirit of the dead people) (4) Pϋiktu and Thaktha (who carry sacrifice and make divination)

Secular Specialist group (Chief) Suki (head of secular specialist group) Ngnaptai, Khawdo,Aimukyu, Asiyang Main tasks of Chief members were in charge of Security for the community Motivate villagers according to orders and disciplines from Sacred leaders(Shaman)

What made the community worked well? Collective activities and common values (group hunting and group fishing) Share values and distribution mind (sharing meats from festivals, hunting, fishing and events) collective ownership (farm land and forest) Dependence one another (events of cultural activities, marry occasions and funeral services and farming works)

How they Choose the leaders Leaders in both sectors were chose by people in the community but not formal election Sacred leaders could hangover the position to his son if community people believed or supported If New Sacred leader was chosen, there was a festival for him, Sacred leader position is until old age

Some Qualifications for leaders Sacred leaders Traditional experts especially sacrificial activities Some kinds of relationship or communication with spirits and the creator god (Hnamnu) He was in between of creator god and people Secular specialists Experts on oral history Brave and good at hunting and well in doing festivals Influential power

Relationship among leaders and people Leader to leader Sacred leaders can order to Secular leader at the time of sacrificial activities for social lives, farming and funeral Secular leaders can tell and order the sacred leader at the security issues Leaders can order the people but not their own benefits People in the community can choose for their leaders Leaders and people in the community communicate as normal ways in most times and situation

What makes identity and ways of life of Cho people in a threatened situation ? Christianity and missionaries teachings Government policies (burmanization) and restriction from government to practice minority groups' culture Getting awareness of business Poverty

Thank You