Chin State

State of Myanmar

For the self-governing polity, see Chinland.

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2024)

|

State in Upper, Myanmar

Chin State

ချင်းပြည်နယ်

State

Myanmar transcription(s)
• Burmese| hkyang: pranynai

Chin Village Ferry

Location of Chin State in Myanmar

Coordinates: 22°0′N 93°30′E﻿ / ﻿22.000°N 93.500°E﻿ / 22.000; 93.500
Country|  Myanmar
Region| Upper
Before becoming State| Part of Chin Special Division and Arakan Division
Establishment| 3 January 1974
Capital| Hakha
Government

• Chief Minister| Pu Dr. Vungh Suan Thang
• Cabinet| Chin State Government
• Legislature| Chin State Hluttaw
• Judiciary| Chin State High Court
Area

[1]

• Total

| 36,018.8 km2 (13,906.9 sq mi)
• Rank| 9th
Highest elevation

(Nat Ma Taung)

| 3,070 m (10,070 ft)
Population

(2014)[2]

• Total

| 478,801
• Rank| 14th
• Density| 13/km2 (34/sq mi)
Demographics

• Ethnicities| Chin, Falam Laizo, Bamars, Mizo, Kuki, Zomi, Rakhine, Tedim, Lai, Daignet
• Religions| Christianity 91.6%
Buddhism 6.1%
Animism and other religions 2.3%
Time zone| UTC+06:30 (MST)
HDI (2015)| 0.556[3]
medium · 7th

This article contains Burmese script. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Burmese script.

Chin State (Burmese: ချင်းပြည်နယ်; MLCTS: hkyang: pranynai, pronounced [tɕʰɪ́ɰ̃ pjìnɛ̀]) is a state in western Myanmar. Chin State is bordered by Sagaing Division and Magway Division to the east, Rakhine State to the south, the Chattogram Division of Bangladesh to the west, and the Indian states of Mizoram to the west and Manipur to the north. The population of Chin State is about 488,801 according to the 2014 census, and its capital city is Hakha.[4]

The state is named after the Chin people, an ethnic group native to Chin State and neighboring Rakhine State. Much of the state is mountainous and sparsely populated, with few transportation links and low levels of economic development. It also has Myanmar's highest poverty rate, at 58%, according to a 2017 report.[5]

## History

[edit]

### Early history

[edit]

Situated in the remote hilly region of the Chin Hills, Chin State was traditionally autonomous and far from their neighboring powers like Burman kingdoms in the east and Indian states in the west to reach.[6] Until the British advancement in the region, independent city-states such as Ciimnuai (Chinwe/Chin Nwe) later shifted to Tedim and Vangteh in the north,[7] Tlaisun (also recorded as Tashon) and Rallang in the mid-land, and Hakha, Thantlang and Zokhua (Yokwa) in the south played important political role in securing peace of the region,[8] and each city-state practised its own independent sovereignty in their own rights.

### 20th century

[edit]

Upon Burma's independence from the United Kingdom in 1948, the Chin Hills Special Division was created, with its capital at Falam. Hakha later became the capital. However, three townships that are today part of present-day Chin State (Mindat, Kanpetlet and Matupi) were previously part of the Pakokku Hill Tracts of Pakokku District and Paletwa Township of the Arakan Hill Tracts, until 4 January 1974. On this date, the Chin Hills Special Division was granted state status and became Chin State.[9]

"Chin National Day" is designated on 20 February to commemorate the "General Assembly of Chinland" held in 1948.[10] The first celebration of Chin National Day was held in 1951, but it was not recognized by the Myanmar government until the 2010s.[11]

### Myanmar civil war

[edit]

Main article: Chin theater

Chin State, like much of Myanmar, has been deeply affected by the Myanmar civil war since it broke out in 2021. Tens of thousands of Chin State residents have fled to neighboring Mizoram, India, and towns such as Thantlang were destroyed in the fighting.[12] Since the war broke out, several armed opposition groups have emerged calling themselves the Chinland Defense Force. The groups are reportedly funded by the Chin diaspora and by the National Unity Government of Myanmar, an opposition government-in-exile.[13]

On 6 December 2023 the Chin National Front adopted a Chinland Constitution, proclaiming the state of Chinland.[14] But resistance groups from 5 townships (Falam, Kanpetlet, Matupi, Mindat, and Tedim) out of 9 townships in Chin State objected to this constitution.[15]

## Administrative divisions

[edit]

Districts of Chin State 2022

* Falam District Northern Chin State
* Falam Township
* Tedim Township
* Tonzang Township
* Hakha District of Central Chin State
* Hakha Township
* Thantlang Township
* Matupi District of Central and Southwestern Chin State
* Matupi Township
* Rezua Sub-township
* Paletwa Township
* Mindat District of Southeastern Chin State
* Mindat Township
* Kanpetlet Township

Hakha District was formed by the first Chin State Hluttaw emergency meeting No. 2/2012 on 1 June.[16] Matupi District was formed by the second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw regular meeting on 28 June 2017.[17][18]

## Government

[edit]

### Executive

[edit]

Main article: Chin State Government

### Legislature

[edit]

Main article: Chin State Hluttaw

## Economy

[edit]

Chin State has little infrastructure and remains undeveloped with over 70% of its population living below the poverty line.[19]

Chin State is Myanmar's largest producer of konjac (elephant foot yam) with an estimated annual output exceeding 250,000 tonnes.[20]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical populationYear| Pop.| ±%

|
|

1973| 323,295| —
1983| 368,949| +14.1%
2014| 478,801| +29.8%
Source: 2014 Myanmar Census[2]

### Ethnic makeup

[edit]

Ethnic composition of Chin State

Ethnic group |  | Percentage
Chin |

| 95.7%
Rakhine |

| 3.4%
Bamar |

| 0.8%
Other |

| 0.1%
Source: 2019 GAD township reports

See also: Chin people and Kuki-Chin languages

The Chin peoples make up the majority of Chin State's population, with small Rakhine and Bamar minorities. The people of Chin State are made up of many tribes which, though historically related, now speak divergent languages and have different cultural and historical identities. Some consider the name Chin an exonym, given by the Burmese. Other tribes in the state include Zo, Zomi, Laimi, K'Cho, Khumi, Asho.

After the 2014 Census in Myanmar, the Burmese government indefinitely withheld release of detailed ethnicity data, citing concerns around political and social concerns surrounding the issue of ethnicity in Myanmar.[21] In 2022, researchers published an analysis of the General Administration Department's nationwide 2018-2019 township reports to tabulate the ethnic makeup of Chin State.[22][21]

### Religion

[edit]

Religion in Chin (2014)[23]

1. Christianity (91.6%)
2. Buddhism (6.1%)
3. Tribal (Animism) (0.4%)
4. Hinduism (0%)
5. Islam (0.1%)
6. Others (1.8%)

According to the 2014 Myanmar Census, Christians make up the vast majority of Chin State's population, at 91.6%.[24] Minority religious communities include Buddhists (6.1%), Islam (0.1%), Hindus (0.0%), and Animism and other religions (~2.2), including adherents of Pau Cin Hau, who collectively comprise the remainder of Chin State's population.[24] 74 people listed no religion, or other religions, or were otherwise not enumerated.[24] Chin State is the only state in Myanmar with a majority Christian population.[25]

Religious
group  | Population
% 1983[26] | Population % 2014[23][27]

|
|

Christianity  | 72.7% | 91.6%
Buddhism  | 10.8% | 6.1%
Tribal  | 14.2% | 0.4%
Others  | 2.2% | 1.8%
Hinduism  | 0.0% | 0.0%
Islam  | 0.1% | 0.1%

## Education

[edit]

See also: List of universities in Chin State

According to official statistics,[28] Chin State had 25 high schools in 2003.

* Bethel Bible College in Tedim Township
* Chin Christian College in Hakha Township
* Zomi Theological College in Falam, Falam Township

## References

[edit]

Mizo test of Wikipedia at Wikimedia Incubator

Hakha-Chin test of Wikipedia at Wikimedia Incubator

1. ^ "Union of Myanmar". City Population. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
2. ^ a b Census Report. The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census. Vol. 2\. Naypyitaw: Ministry of Immigration and Population. May 2015. p. 17.
3. ^ "Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
4. ^ "Census Population Dashboard | MIMU". themimu.info. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
5. ^ "Myanmar Living Conditions Survey 2017". United Nations Development Programme. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
6. ^ B. S. Carey & H. N. Tuck, The Chin Hills: A History of the People, our dealings with them, their Customs and Manners, and a Gazetteer of their Country, vol. 1 (Rangoon, Burma: Government Printing, 1896), 12–33.
7. ^ Ngul Lian Zam (Guite), "Mualthum Kampau Guite Hausate Tangthu" (Amazon/CreateSpace, United States, 2018), 77–152 ISBN 978-1721693559.
8. ^ Carey & Tuck, The Chin Hills 1, 17–18, 23–24.
9. ^ "Myanmar Divisions". Statoids. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
10. ^ "Celebration Of 65th Chin National Day". Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
11. ^ Cung, Zing. "Chin Identity and Chin National Day". Chin Community in Norway. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
12. ^ Fishbein, Emily (29 August 2023). "Myanmar's striking civil servants: Displaced, forgotten, but holding on". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
13. ^ Ghoshal, Devyjot (12 December 2021). "Insight: In Myanmar's Chin state, a grassroots rebellion grows". Reuters. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
14. ^ "The First Chin-Written Constitution: A New Template For Self-Determination?". The Irrawady. 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023.
15. ^ Martin, Michael (1 November 2024). "Trouble Among the Chin of Myanmar". Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Retrieved 16 November 2024.
16. ^ http://www.mrtv3.net.mm/newpaper/46newsn.pdf [permanent dead link] Page 16, Col 1.
17. ^ Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, fifth regular meeting record (in Burmese), Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, p. 420
18. ^ Rezua
19. ^ "Chin State Overview" (PDF). Thaibizmyanmar.
20. ^ "Chin State's Konjac cultivation enhances rural livelihood and income, generates revenue - Global New Light Of Myanmar". 3 January 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
21. ^ a b Jap, Jangai; Courtin, Constant (22 November 2022). Deciphering Myanmar's Ethnic Landscape: A Brief Historical and Ethnic Description of Myanmar's Administrative Units. International IDEA. doi:10.31752/idea.2022.57. ISBN 978-91-7671-577-2.
22. ^ "PoneYate ethnic population dashboard".
23. ^ a b Department of Population Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population MYANMAR (July 2016). The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census Census Report Volume 2-C. Department of Population Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population MYANMAR. pp. 12–15.
24. ^ a b c The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census Census Report Volume 2-C (PDF). Department of Population Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population. July 2016. pp. 12–15.
25. ^ "Laipian Pa Ni kibawl". ZomiDaily. archive.is. 29 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
26. ^ Ministry of Homes, & Religious Affairs. "1983 Population Census, Chin State" (PDF). Retrieved 18 March 2025.
27. ^ Myanmar, Govt. "The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census, The Union Report: Religion" (PDF). p. Volume 2-C page7. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
28. ^ "Education statistics by level and by State and Division". Myanmar Central Statistical Organization. Archived from the original on 24 May 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2009.

## External links

[edit]

* WorldStatesman – Myanmar – States of Burma 1948–1974
* For more cultural information about the Chin see F.K. Lehman. 1963. The Structure of Chin Society;: A Tribal People of Burma Adapted to a Non-Western Civilization. University of Illinois Press.
* Stavanger Chin Organization
* The Chin National Front
* Chin Human Rights Organization
* Matupi Students Union
* Chin Community in Norway
* Chin Community in Denmark
* Chinland Development and Research Society in Sweden
* Chin Community in Germany
* Chin Christian Fellowship in Denmark
* English- Chin Online Dictionary
* MITCS
* ZOGAM Home
* Vaphual news & articles on Zo people
* Chin Community Germany
* The official website of Zomi Reunification Organisation
* Institutes of Higher Education in Myanmar (January 2002)[usurped] – arranged by state and division

Places adjacent to Chin State

|  | Manipur,  India |

|
|

|  |
Mizoram,  India |

Chin State

|  Sagaing Region
Magway Region
|  |
Chittagong Division,  Bangladesh |  Rakhine State |

* v
* t
* e

Chin State

Capital: Hakha

Tedim District|

* Tedim Township
* Tonzang Township
* Cikha Subtownship

Falam District|

* Falam Township
* Rikhawdar Subtownship

Hakha District|

* Hakha Township
* Thantlang Township

Matupi District|

* Matupi Township
* Rezua Subtownship

Paletwa District|

* Paletwa Township
* Sami Subtownship

Mindat District|

* Mindat Township
* Kanpetlet Township

Cities and towns|

* Cikha
* Falam
* Hakha
* Kanpetlet
* Khaikam
* Lalengpi
* Matupi
* Mindat
* Paletwa
* Phunom
* Rezua
* Rikhawdar
* Sami
* Tedim
* Thantlang
* Tonzang

* v
* t
* e

Administrative divisions of Myanmar

States|

* Chin
* Kachin
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* Mon
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* Shan

Regions|

* Ayeyarwady
* Bago
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* Sagaing
* Tanintharyi
* Yangon

Self-Administered Zones|

* Danu
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Self-Administered Divisions|

* Wa

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