Last modified: 2002-06-28 by michael smuda
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Jaume Ollé, 15 September 1996
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According the Flag Bulletin the Chin Republic (and probably the Liberation Movement) flies this flag.
Jaume Ollé, 15 September 1996
Picture 155 in [eun] "Zoram [Chin State] (Zomi ['Chins']) - Burma." Similar to the above, but with lighter blue and smaller disk.
Ivan Sache, 16 September 1999
I have paged around in several websites on the Chin (and other peoples) of Myanmar - I chose this account among several to shed some light (or obscure the issue even more) at : http://www2.tky.3web.ne.jp/~thawng/
'Historical Background
the term "chin" is an old Burmese word for "fellow" "companion" or "friend". The term "Chin" and "Chindwin" (it means the hole of the Chins) are mentioned int he Pagan inscriptions from the beginning of the 13th century AD. the term "Chin" is designated to the various hill tribes of the Chin State of the Union of Myanmar (Burma), the Mizos of Assam State of India, some of the hill tribes of Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh and the "Thados" of Manipur State. The tribes are also found in Rakhaing State, Thayer, Minbu, and Pyinmana districts. To the Indians they are known as "Kukis" (meaning hill man) and "Nagas" (meaning naked). Unfortunately, none of them recognise the term "Chin" though officially recognised and accepted so far, nor do they like to be called "Chin". They prefer to call themselves in their trible names as Laimi, Zomi, Mizo, Asho, Cho, Mro, Khumi...etc. (Ref; Notes on the Chin Language by U Van Kyi)'
It appears to me that the Chin do not have a uniform name for their people/tribe and that that is fully exploited by the outside world to confound the issue.
In an article I plucked from the web, but lost the URL:
Stephen Epstein reports of a visit to the 'Bnei Menashe', part of the Kuki tribe in Mizoram (India) that still retain Jewish rites. 'More that 300 Bnei Menashe have gone to Israel, where they have undergone conversion and have settled with the help of Rabbi Avichail and Amishav. Many live in the Gush Katif area, work in agriculture and serve in the army.'
Similar (according to me far-fetched) stories go around... I mentioned the last one to eventually account for the MD on the Chin flag - But it is very spurious.
Jarig Bakker19 July 1999
Antonio Martins, 17 December 1999
Photo of the Chin national flag was published in my Bulletin (issue 1) and is similar to this one but the central star is full yellow (or golden) instead of a Maggen David pattern.
Jaume Ollé26 July 1999
Antonio Martins, 17 December 1999
ReGIFfed into standards keeping the unusual ratio of ~5:7. Also sent version based on Jaume Ollé's description. Now, I guess that those Chins sre supposed to know their flag best, and their site should be trusted, but OTOH, Jaume certainly has a good source for his version and it wouldn't be the first official website using a grossly incorrect image of their own flag.
Antonio Martins, 17 December 1999
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