Chin, Cho in Myanmar (Burma)

Introduction / History

The Chin peoples live in the mountainous regions of the southern Chin state in western Myanmar. Since the first Burman kingdom in the eleventh century, Myanmar has experienced ethnic division and political unrest.

Mun Chin are also known as the Chinbok. This is a derogatory term that means "rotten" in Burmese. One source says that the Mun Chin of the Kanpetlet region refer to themselves as the Cho. The Chin tribes were once referred to as the "wild hill tribes" of Myanmar. Chin, too, was a derogatory Burmese term used in the past to denote all the various hill tribes living near the Myanmar and India border-a neglected and underdeveloped area. Within the family of Chin peoples, there are dialects. One of these is Cho Chin, also called Muun Chin.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The hill tribes in southern Chin State earn a living by trapping, hunting and logging. They also practice shifting cultivation. Since dense plant growth limits the use of land for agricultural purposes, they clear the land by burning the vegetation. They then grow dry rice on it for three or four years before moving. Some groups, however, have settled permanently in large clearings in the forests. These forested areas are state lands, but the farmers fight for their claim as landowners. Land tenure in Chin State is a complex matter. Approximately one-quarter of the land has been affected by erosion.

Myanmar is one of the world's leading rice producers, but the Cho Chin are able to raise only enough to feed themselves. To supplement their income, the Cho Chin work at seasonal migratory jobs, such as cutting sugarcane or working in factories. Severe labor shortages in the fields often result from these migrations. Mining precious gems, such as jade, rubies, and sapphires, is another way the Cho Chin can help themselves financially.

A Cho Chin house usually has only one room. All activities take place on the floor where food is prepared and eaten. Mats are rolled out nightly for sleeping and then rolled up or stacked away during the day. Because the floor is the center of home life, it is grossly impolite to enter a Cho Chin house while wearing shoes. The family often dines outdoors.

Political organization in the communities is shaped by the political constitution of Myanmar. From the prime minister to the village headman, there is an unbroken line of administrative authority. The community elects a single headman, and then is recorded in the census as a territorial unit for the purpose of assessing taxes. For the commoners, the government is one of the five traditional enemies, along with fire, famine, flood and plague. Military service is compulsory for both men and women.

What Are Their Beliefs?

While most of Myanmar is Buddhist, the Cho Chin practice their own ethnic religion that embraces animistic beliefs. Animism includes the notion that forces and aspects of nature (wind, rivers, trees, earth) are connected with spirits or supernatural beings. These spirits are called upon to help solve the urgent practicalities of life, such as securing food, curing illness, and averting danger. The Cho Chin animistic beliefs include spirits called nats, which are inherently evil. One must spend his life trying to appease them through sacrifices and rituals, so that the less evil spirits will fight off the more evil ones. Farmers may spend more money in a year on their religion than on their family's schooling, health, and clothing.

Almost half of the Cho Chin are officially Christian, though they often put their faith in the spirit world.

What Are Their Needs?

The Cho Chin have many medical problems. Iodine deficiency disorders, such as goiters, are among the priority health problems in Chin State. There is a need for Christian medical teams to minister to the physical needs of the Cho Chin community.

Holding to animistic beliefs, the Cho Chin live their lives in fear of displeasing the spirits. These precious people desperately need to put their faith in the grace of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to give Cho Chin Christians greater faith in the only savior, Jesus Christ.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send loving laborers to work among the Cho Chin.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to Cho Chin Christ followers who wish to spread the fragrance of Christ in every Cho Chin family.
Pray for Cho Chin disciples who will make more disciples among their own people and among their Buddhist neighbors.

Text Source:   Joshua Project