Kuki

The Kuki are a predominantly Christian population from Mizoram (India) and adjacent territories (Manipur, Nagaland), but who were apparently Jewish until the XIX. Several peoples have in their tradition descend from one of the ten lost tribes of Israel: the Shinlung, the Kuki, the Hmar, the Mizo and the Lushai, all of them basically of the Chin ethnic group. This belief is widespread among these Chin tribes, although there is still no irrefutable evidence (Kuki Valdivia).

The Kuki form one of the branches of the Chin nation (the term Kuki is applied in India to the same population that in Burma are called Chin and are, therefore, very close to the Mizos), and inhabit mainly in Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland. The Kuki and Hmar specifically claim descent from Manmasi (Manasia), a name that could be derived from Mannaseh, Jacob's eleventh and favorite son according to the Old Testament.

In 1951 a Kuki tribal chief named Tchalah revealed a prophecy that the Kuki people would return to the religion and land of their ancestors but their movement did not continue until 20 years later when a group of Kukis rediscovered their Israelite origins and he formed a movement called the Sons of Manmaseh (Bnei Manmaseh). Currently there are about five thousand, including in addition to kukis, some Lushei and Hmar. Only a small part of the Kuki nation is integrated into this movement; its components do not form a tribe but an organization. There are 37 Kuki tribes. The Jewish state of the Bnei Manmaseh will be called Zale'n-gam and, according to its promoters, it will be joined by all the Kuki of Nagaland, Manipur, Bangladesh, Mizoram and the Chin State of Burma, that is, all the descendants of Manmaseh (Bnei Manmaseh).

Political movements

The Kuki National Front (KNF) was created by Ranco Thangboi Kuki on May 18, 1988 in order to create an independent Kuki state: "Kukiland". It has about 300 fighters training with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Burma. The KNF also fights against the Tangkhul Nagas tribe supported by the "National Socialist Council of Nagalim" (IM) as both tribes dispute the territory. The KNF is active in Chandel, Tamenglong and Senapati districts.

The Kuki National Army (KNA) was created by Suvitulon Hoakip in June 1991, along with the political wing called the Kuki National Organization (KNO). The objective of the KNA and the KNO is the creation of Kukiland (Kuki territories in Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur) through armed struggle. Its activity takes place on the border with Burma. It has at least 600 fighters. It is allied with the Nagaland National Socialist Council (NSCN(K)) and the Assam United Liberation Front, and is part of the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front (IBRF). He receives the support of India in the war they have with the Nagas and the Paites.

Flag

Flag kuki proclaimed by the Bnei Manmaseh and flag of the future State of Zale'n-gam.

A flag for the hypothetical State of Zale'n-gam, intended to represent all the Kuki, including the Manmaseh (and not only them), was designed a few years ago. The flag includes the national colors of the Chin (in the official composition of Burma) but reversed, green above, blue below and red remains in the center, with the central stripe double width. The green band represents eternity and prosperity, the red courage and sacrifice, the blue freedom and sovereignty. The proportions are 1/2/1 with respect to the horizontal stripes and 2/3 with respect to the vertical and horizontal lengths. In the middle of the central strip it has a star of David.