Fanai Mizo in India

The Fanai Mizo have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian *
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

Mizos are also known as the Lushai. Most live in India’s northeastern state of Mizoram. They are part of the larger Zo ethnic family, which includes the Chin and Kuki peoples of Myanmar and India. There are at least five subgroups, one of which is the Fanai Mizos. All are united by speaking the Mizo language.

Their ancestors probably came from China’s Yunnan Province through Myanmar to their current locations.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Fanai Mizos are slash-and-burn farmers, but this is changing rapidly because of modernization. They are increasingly moving to urban settings where they have small businesses, work for the government, or educational institutions. Some are in the medical and other professions.

Be they in rural areas or cities, Mizos like to sing and tell stories. Soccer and volleyball are their favorite sports.

Their choice of foods reflects their nomadic past. Their food was often simple boiled fish and rice, and salt was a luxury.

Though they have a patriarchal family structure, the youngest son usually inherits the family farm. This is unusual. They have strong loyalties to their families, and everyone respects the elders. Marriages include a bride price, which reinforces clan alliances since marriages are between people of different clans.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though animistic practices and devotion to the spirits still exists, most are now Christian. They have a complete Bible in the Mizo language and plenty of gospel materials.


What Are Their Needs?

Mizos are usually marginally Christian. They need revival.


Prayer Items

Pray for the Holy Spirit to purify and extend Mizo churches.
Pray that soon Fanai Mizo disciples will make disciples of Buddhists and Muslims.
Pray for them to understand the Lord is their provider.
Pray for Mizo Christians to be saturated in the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit.


Scripture Prayers for the Mizo Fanai in India.


References

AI generated by Copilot.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mizo Fanai
People Name in Country Mizo Fanai
Natural Name Fanai Mizo
Alternate Names मीज़ो, फ़नई
Population this Country 15,000
Population all Countries 15,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 20671
ROP3 Code 115803
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 6
Largest States
Mizoram
14,000
Manipur
300
Meghalaya
200
Assam
200
Tripura
200
West Bengal
30
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 6
  Mizoram 14,000
  Manipur 300
  Meghalaya 200
  Assam 200
  Tripura 200
  West Bengal 30
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.17 %
Christianity
99.23 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.28 %
Islam
0.11 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.21 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Mizo (14,000 speakers)
Language Code lus   Ethnologue Listing
Written / Published Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
Chin, Paite
400
Chin, Hakha
80
Hmar
70
Naga, Mao
70
Bengali
60
Kok Borok
50
Hindi
50
Chin, Falam
40
Nepali
20
English Santhali Mara: Lakher
Garo Gangte
Primary Language Mizo (14,000 speakers)
Language Code lus   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
  Chin, Paite 400
  Chin, Hakha 80
  Hmar 70
  Naga, Mao 70
  Bengali 60
  Kok Borok 50
  Hindi 50
  Chin, Falam 40
  Nepali 20
  English 10
  Santhali 10
  Mara: Lakher 10
  Garo 0
  Gangte 0
People Groups Speaking Mizo
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.