Mizoram

GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 21,081 Sq km
Capital: Aizawl
Population: 9,63,554 (Provisional census 2001)
Official Language: Mizo and English
Other Languages: Hindi, Bengali
Climate: Summer: 20 to 30 degree Celsius
Winter: 11 to 21 degree Celsius
Rainy season: May to September
Average rainfall: 254 cm per annum
Religion: Christianity, Hinduism and Islam

MIZORAM
Tamdil Lake is located in the northeastern part of India. It is bound by Assam and Manipur in the north, Myanmar in the east and south and Tripura and Bangladesh in the west. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of Mizoram and therefore the climate of this area is neither very cold in winter nor very hot in summer.
The average winter temperature ranges between 11 and 21 degree Celsius.
The summer temperature ranges between 20 and 30 degree Celsius.

The State has thick bamboo forests and boasts of a number of streams and rivers. Wild animals found in the State are barking deer, blyths, tragopan, stump tailed macaque, swamp deer, tiger, leopard, elephants, hoolock gibbon, sambar, wild boar, wild cats, hornbill, pheasant etc.
Over 300 varieties of butterflies in different colours can also be seen in the state. "Mizo" in local language means a highlander (Mi=man, Zo=hill or high altitude. The Christians make up a solid 84% of the Mizo population while 7% are Hindus and 1% Muslims.
Mizos are very fond of music, singing and dancing. Among many other festivals,

Chapchar Kut, a three-day spring festival celebrated during the month of March is the most popular festival. In this festival, people young and old, men and women dressed in their colourful costumes and headgears perform various folk dances to the tune of drums, gongs and cymbals.
Mim Kut celebrated during August-September and Powl Kut during December are harvest festivals and also involve singing and dancing.

DANCES OF MIZORAM:

Cheraw: The most popular dance of the Mizos is the Cheraw (Bamboo dance). Cheraw is usually performed on the occasion of Buhza Aih (Bumper harvest by an individual family). It is not a community dance. It is performed in marriage ceremonies and other merry-makings to celebrate success. In this dance, six boys squat on the ground holding bamboo poles while six other girls dance in between the shifting bamboos which are rhythmically shifted and struck against one another. It is also performed on moonlit nights. Gongs and drums are used to accompany the dance.
Sarlamkai: It is an impressive dance originating from the Pawi (Lai) and Mara communities in the southern part of Mizoram. This dance form is known as 'Sarlamkai' by the Pawi (Lai) and 'Solakia' by the Mara. It is a warrior dance performed to celebrate a victory in war. In this dance, boys and girls standing in alternate position, dance in circles. Songs are not sung only gongs or cymbals are used for making the beats. The dancers wear colourful dresses while the leader dresses as a warrior
Cheilam: Cheilam is a dance that embodies the spirit of joy and exhilaration. It is performed to the accompaniment of the song called 'Chheihhla'. People squat around in a circle on the floor, sing to the beat of a drum or bamboo tube while a pair of dancers stand in the middle, recite the song and dance along with the music. This dance is normally performed in the evening over a round of rice beer. Guests present are also invited to join in the dance.
Khuallam: It is a dance usually performed in a ceremony called 'Khuangchawi' and literally means "Dance of the Guests". Traditional hand woven Mizo cloth of black, red and yellow colours with green stripes known as 'Puandum' is wrapped over the shoulders and the dance is performed by swaying the cloth. As most other folk dances of the Mizos this dance is accompanied by a set of gongs known as 'Darbu' and no song is sung.
Chawnglaizawn: This is a folk dance of the Pawi (Lai) community of Mizoram. It is performed during festivals and also to celebrate trophies brought home by successful hunters. Boys and girls standing in rows dance to the beat of drums. Shawls are used to help the movement of the arms, which also adds colour to the dance. Only drums are used in this dance.
Zangtalam: It is a popular dance of the Paite community. While dancing, the dancers sing responsive song. The drummer is a leader and director of the song. The duration of the dance depends on the drummer. The steps are few and simple which anybody could join and enjoy.
Chai: This is a very popular dance performed on the occasion of 'Chapchar Kut'. In this dance, men and women stand alternatively in circles, with women holding on to the waist of the man, and the man onto the women's shoulder. In the middle of the circle are the musicians who play the drums and the mithun's (buffalo's) horn. Upon the fourth stroke of the drum the 'Chai' song is sung and according to the beat of the drum, the dancers swing to the left and to the right.

ENTRY FORMALITIES

FOREIGN TOURISTS: For a group of 4 members or more, Restricted Area Permit (RAP) can be obtained from the Resident commissioner, Mizoram House, New Delhi. Otherwise, permit is to be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi.
DOMESTIC TOURISTS: Indian tourists need an inner Line Permit to visit Mizoram. The application is to be made out in a prescribed application and presented in person with two passport size photographs to any of the Liaison officers posted in Mizoram Houses in selected cities and towns. However, tourists arriving by flight may obtain permit at Lenpui Airport, Aizawl. Addresses and Telephone numbers of Mizoram Houses in India are given below: