Folktales of Mizoram

About The Book Folktales of Mizoram is a collection of 66 folk tales from Mizoram translated into English for a readership whose interest lies garnered in the various perspectives of Mizo culture: its literature in general and folk tales in particular.

The folk tales are full of interesting accounts of male and female protagonists. Different themes have been demarcated for different sections. The book aims at rendering oral literature into a more focused written perspective so that theologians and scholars (secular and non-secular) may like to cite thought-provoking tales in order to make their points clear to their audience. It has been felt that many preachers in the church services do make mention about folk practices and proverbs, folk medicine and wisdom, folk narratives and songs, for inculcating impressive lessons to the people at large. So, in order to provide insights to the people of all walks of life, theologians would like to theologise more of folk narratives & songs in their own respective ways and bring about new hermeneutics

About The Author Laltluangliana Khiangte is a well- known playwright-dramatist, poet, scholar-critic, essayist, biographer and folklorist from the state of Mizoram. He has not only achieved distinction of being recognized as a playwright and poet but is also one of the most prominent writers and folklorists of North East India. He has received many awards including Padma Shri in Literature for his remarkable contribution to the development and growth of Mizo language and literature.

Introduction Folktales of Mizoram has been prepared for a readership whose interest lies garnered in the various perspectives of Mizo culture: its literature in general and its folk tales in particular. My main aim is to generate a greater awareness about certain aspects related to the Mizo tribe. I realise that many scholars are keenly advocating an interest in a closer research of folkloristic and cultural heritage of the Mizos.

Lt. Col. T. H. Lewin B.Sc. (Thangliana, as he was referred to by the Mizos), the then Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Hills, was the first man to introduce the written script in Mizo. In a compendium entitled Progressive Colloquial Exercises in the Lushai Dialect of the Dzo or Kuki Language (1874), T.H. Lewin had documented a substantial framework comprising of coherent Mizo vocabulary. He also included an annotation of three Mizo folk tales. That has been the first ever Mizo folk literature recorded in print. He wrote the three folk tales in brief, depending upon the oral narration of Chama, a Mizo boy of fourteen years old from chief Rothangpuia's village.

**Contents and Sample Pages**