LAI, CHIN, AND PAWI: A CASE OF MULTIPLE ETHNIC IDENTITIES

Abstract

Ethnic groups around the world tend to have multiple ethnic identities. This was largely because the colonial writers and colonial administrators often resorted to randomly naming ethnic tribal groups on the basis of administrative convenience rather than relying on the age old ethnic nomenclature used by the people themselves. The case in point is the Lai people now living in Myanmar (Burma), Bangladesh, and India who were, and are still, known as Chin in Maynmar, and Pawi in India. They were also once loosely known as Shendu, Kuki, and Lushai.