Mamit - A tete a tete with the city :

Location : Northeastern India, Mizoram.

Best time to visit : November to March.

Local Transport : Private Cars, buses.

Souvenirs : Local Handicrafts, toys, shawls.

Mamit - The Tale of the city :

Mamit is one of the 8 Mizoram districts in the state of Mizoram in India. Bounded by the Hailakandi in the north and the North Tripura district on the west, the Lunglei district on the south and the Kolasib and Aizawl districts on the east. This is today the administrative headquarters of the district.

Mamit - Down the Ages :

Down the ages Mamit is a census town in the district of Mamit in the state of Mizoram in India. With an average height of around 2355 feet this has a population of only more than 5000. The literacy rate here is around 82% which is more than the national average of around 59.5%. With four R.D Blocks this district has 3 legislative assemblies. Mamit is one of the legislative assemblies.

Mamit - A Rendezvous :

A rendezvous with Mamit, the infant Mizoram city reveals that this place is endowed with a natural beauty that is incomparable. The natural ambience and the beautiful scenery make this place a lovely little hamlet. It is in the process of developing and one only has to feel the fragrance of the vegetation here to fall in love with the place.

Mamit - Travel kitty :

Mamit is one of the smaller regions in Mizoram. However the basic local handicrafts are found here. The Bamboo Popu up Gun is very common in Mizoram and is found here too. It is made out of a bamboo of small length and is used as a barrel. There is a pellet provided such that when the splint is pulled back then the pellet is released out of the barrel. Then there are household items like the Tuium which is a water carrier that is made from bamboo. Then there is Thalangra a tray used for winnowing. The Lushai tribe manufacture this. This triangular shaped tray exhibits the skilful work of the local artisans. This is made out of thin bamboo strips. The locals also make the Vaibel which is a pipe made out of bamboo and the tuibur which is made with a mixture of clay and bamboo. The Vaibel is used by the females and the Tuibur is used by the males. Thus the travel kitty here is very exquisite and unique.

Mamit - Joie de vivre in the city :

What could be the joie de vivre of living in a city of very little population? The pollution is less and the place is heavenly. With the pristine surroundings and beautiful backgrounds, this place has the best kind of ambience and is slowly moving towards progress. Mamit, the small hamlet lives amidst idyllic surroundings. A person who comes here would be able to see the following:

Aizawl : With the kind of population it has, Aizawl is the largest city in the State of Mizoram. Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram is a city with the Tlawng river valley to its west and the Tuirial River Valley to the east. The city is actually situated on a ridge which is around 1132m above the sea level and lies around 30km from Mamit. With a subtropical climate which is mild, the city is witness to a nice growth of dense vegetation. Aizawl, the hill station is the favored tourist spot for many of the tourists who seek solitude. Set amidst the best kind of landscape, the timber houses characterizing the region are a lovely sight.

Mamit - Entertainment factor :

The city of Mamit plays a major role in maintaining the culture and tradition of Mizoram. This state is famous for a good many festivals celebrated for harvest season. All the festivals are celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and joy. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people so; the festivals are also based on this factor. Kut means festivals. So all the festivals in Mizoram are based on the word kut.

Mim Kut : This is the festival of maize harvesting.

Pawl Kut : This marks a function for two days. It is celebrated in December and January.

Chapchar Kut : In this festival there are lot of bamboos that are dried and these are used for the jhum cultivation. This is an ancient festival believed to be existing since the 14th century.

Thalfavang Kut : This is a festival that is celebrated after the weeding process is over. It is a very common part of Mizoram Culture.

Christmas : Filled with merriment and joy people of all age groups come and take part in the festive mood. Christmas is celebrated for three days.

Lunglei also has its share of fun and tradition with dances. The dances are accompanied with the help of a gong and a drum. The various dances found are:

KHuallam : This is a dance for the guests. This is danced during the Khuangchawi ceremony. This ceremony involves the win for the Thangchhuah title which is attained by performing dances. For this the locals make a cloth with black, red, yellow and green stripes on it. Called the Puandum and wear it over the shoulders. This Puandum is carried by the girl when she gets married and is also the same used to cover a dead body. This dance is danced to the beat of Darbu or the gongs.

Cheraw : Cheraw is a traditional dance danced by the people in Lunglei. It is popular as the bamboo dance and the dance is danced to the beat of drums and is a great fascination all over the world. Drums and gongs accompany this dance.

Sarlamkai : This dance is danced by the Mara and Pawi communities. It is a ceremony which is celebrated to deride the beheaded head of any enemy. It is celebrated such that the soul will remain a victor even after death.

Chailam : This famous dance is danced during the most important festival of the Lungleis - The Chapchar Kut. Men and women alternatively stand in circles with the man holding the woman’s’ waist. The Man keeps his hands on the woman’s’ shoulder. The drums and the mithun’s horns are played in the centre.

Thus with all the necessary requisites for a perfect tourist spot, Mamit even though a small city is a wonderful place to visit just for the beauty around. A person coming to this place is touched by the simplicity of the people around and the warmth that is exuded by them. Tourists have to ensure that they are prepared for a scarcely populated beautiful region.

As the saying goes “Beauty is mightier than the area.