Formation of Zanniat Foundation (Delhi) / ZF (D)
Back History of Zanniat People and the Land:
Zanniat is one of the recognized indigenous people of Chin Ethnic in Burma (Myanmar).
In Chin history the Zanniat people entered to Chin Hills from Chindwin valley and lived between the Manipuri River and some part of plain areas in Chindwin Valley and for remembrance of the forefather Zanniat and this habited land was named as Zanniat Land and the related generations from Zanniat also recognized as Zanniat People.
At present, under the government of Burma (Myanmar) the major part of Zanniat Land is in Chin State; between Tedim Township at North and Manipuri River at South, at West it stretches from Manipuri River of Falam Township to East at the boundary of Chin State and Sagaing Division. There are also some Zanniat villages which are already annexed in Sagaing Division, Burma (Myanmar).
By overpower, the Zanniat Land was administered from Falam (Phalam) town in Chin history so that the land was annexed in Falam Township of Falam District in Chin State till today in political administration in Burma (Myanmar).
In Zanniat people there are many tribes. Some other Chin tribes also mingled and lived in Zanniat Land and they are also considered as Zanniat. Due to tribal conflicts and wars, some of Zanniat people fled from Zanniat Land to other tribes in Chin State before the British colonization period. These people are also considered Zanniat but they are unable to speak Zanniat language.
Zanniat is the main and common language speaking in Zanniat Land while Ngawn, Khualsim, Taisun (also known as Tashon or Phalam), Lunghawh, and Parte (also known as Tapong or Tlavi) people’s dialects also exist in Zanniat Land while Mualzawl village is the only village which speaks Lushai (now commonly known as Mizo) dialect in Zanniat Land.
To access from central part of Burma (Myanmar) Zanniat Land is the most favorable natural geographical situation so that the land is one of the most important factors for development in Chin State.
Due to political instabilities and brutal military regime after the junta seized the political power in 1962, thousands of civilians fled for life safety to nearby countries. As same situation of other ethnics in Burma thousands of Zanniat people also fleeing from Burma to other countries.
Therefore,
Believing the inherent dignity, inalienable human rights and indigenous identities with social and cultural rights for the Zanniat people the Zanniat Foundation (ZF) was established on 16th January 2011.
Our Vision:
We envision Zanniat Foundation to be an organization providing a common platform for all the different levels of Zanniat people of Chin ethnic of Burma (Myanmar) for participation in welfare, development issues and protection of culture and traditional values.
Our Mission:
- We provide update information to different levels of Zanniat people for participation in possible solutions for society developments
- We carry out welfare for our Zanniat people
- We provide charity works for our Zanniat people who need helps and supports
- We promote to value Zanniat ancestral traditional values to all Zanniat people
In Delhi, India the Zanniat Foundation (Delhi) / ZF (D) was formed to concern the Zanniat people of Chin ethnics from Burma (Myanmar).
At current situation there are more than 300 Zanniat people in Delhi. Some are seeking protection while some are being protected under United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Delhi, India. In whole India there are more than 1000 Zanniat people and the majority are unregistered Chin Refugees.
Zanniat Foundation (Delhi) concerns for the rights of Zanniat refugees along with the social and welfare related issues in Delhi.
To help and support the Chin refugees in India Zanniat Foundation (Delhi) would cooperate with the concerned organizations and also believes that working by community based organization can do more effective works and supports to grass root levels.
Sd/-
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(San Kip Thawng)
President
Phone: +91-9971503455
Sd/-
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(Van Lal Sin)
Secretary
Phone: +91-9910341901
Cc:
1. Zanniat Youth Organization – Zanniat Mino Pawlkom (ZYO-ZMP) of Exile and inside Burma
2. Zanniat Christian Fellowship (ZCF) of Delhi and Aizawl in India, Malaysia and inside Burma
3. Chin Zanniat Refugee Organization of Malaysia