" Civilisation will not last, freedom will not survive, peace will not be kept, unless a very large majority of mankind unite together to defend them and show themselves possessed of a constabulary power before which barbaric and atavistic forces will stand in awe." – Winston Churchill.

As you came across annually Eimi Society or Eimi Fresher' Meet in Manipur University which is generally held in Kuki Inn, Imphal, but many of us may be confused of the term ‘EIMI’ and what does it imply? What does EIMI signify?

In Manipur University the Eimi organization was formed in 1998 on the initiatives of Dr. John Pulamte, current president of ATSUM and his vice-president Neikholal Haokip. However, the Eimi organization is confined itself to the boundary of Manipur University and there seems to be no sign of expansion outside the University campus. Thus, it appears that the student’s enthusiasm and participation are dwindling year after year comparing to the earlier ones.

Every man on earth is conscious of his identity and the search for his identity is inborn aspiration in man. Jesus Christ himself was so conscious about his identity and asked his disciples two questions; "Who do people say I am?" "Who do you say I am?"

Peter, one of his disciples, answered," You are the Christ". Jesus was so pleased with Peter’s answer because Christ means King of Kings. Like wise, in a desperate search for a nomenclature acceptable to all Zo tribes , Zo students studying in Shillong in 1970 formed an organization called the "Eimi Organisation", or "Our People's Organisation".

And this organization is supposed to be a common platform for all non-Naga tribes of Zo descendants. The idea was that all Zo students could join without having to bear the name of a specific tribe. However, the Hmar and Paite students refused to join the organization ever since they had their own organizations.

As for the Paite, they already had their own twenty five year old organization called " Siamsin Pawlpi" (The students' organization). Its head-quarters was in Lamka, and it had a branch in Shillong and else where.

For the Mizo,there was also the "Zirlai Pawl" or the Students Association, which was joined by students who refused to join other associations. And as for the Hmar, the Hmar Students' Association(HSA) was formed way back in 1936.

No matter how hard Zo clans try to unite, they seem to have difficulty in accepting nomenclature which does not reflect their particular clan perspective. However, this is not to deny the fact that they have a strong feeling to unite themselves by adopting a common nomenclature for their unity and political growth.

So far Zo descendants and its ethnic groups are known by different terms, namely, Chin- Kuki - Mizo or Zomi, and the first two names- Chin and Kuki - are names given to us by outsiders during colonial period and the last two by ourselves recently. Of all these, the most dignified term is "Mizo".

However, the Mizo also failed to cover all kindred tribes due to some section of vested interests. The reality is that there are still many tribes within these groups who prefer to be identified as a distinct tribe and ask the government for their recognition.

It’s a high time to sort out our differences and heading for unification of Zo descendants under one umbrella. The sooner we do the better.

Ethnicity is a biological, ideological, and socially constructed concept. It is biological in the sense that ethnic characteristics are generally passed down through biological family members who are part of a larger biological family group.

In terms of ideology, ethnic groups also pass down values, ideas, and principles that shape the norms and behaviour of their group. And, as a component of the larger human society, a distinct ethnic group is a social unit that is defined as part of the larger social unit.

Ethnicity is a concept that is fluid; it evolves, and what is identified as a particular ethnic group at one point in history may be identified differently at another point. However, the use of ethnic identity to construct a national identity only brings disunity and misunderstanding among us and there are also certain limitations.

Let’s us learn a good lesson from the Hungarian's unification. Historically the most ethnically diverse regions were the former Hungarian territories in the northwest, which cover more than one-third of Romania's total area, extending from the deep curve of the Carpathians to the borders of Hungary and Yugoslavia.

This part of Romania, most repeatedly referred to simply as Transylvania, and also includes the Maramures, Crisana, and Banat regions. These areas were settled by two distinct Hungarian groups--the Magyars and the Szeklers. The Magyars arrived in 896, and shortly thereafter the Szeklers were settled in southeastern Transylvania. Although they were of peasant origins, Szeklers were never serfs and in fact enjoyed a fair amount of feudal autonomy.

Many were granted nobility by the Hungarian king as a reward for military service. Awareness of a separate status for the Szeklers still exists among other Hungarians and Szeklers alike. The Szeklers are regarded as the best of the Hungarian nation; the form of Hungarian they speak is considered to be the purest and most pleasant.

These two groups are further differentiated by their religion, as most Szeklers are Calvinist or Unitarian, whereas the majority of Hungarians are Roman Catholic. Despite cultural distinctions, Szeklers, numbering between 600,000 and 700,000, consider themselves to be of purely Hungarian nationality. Thus like the Hungarian model, unification is a must for the Zo descendants.

There is a movement towards the unification of Zo descendants under the banner of " Manmasi" has emerged. A book on "The Wonderful Genealogical Tree of the Manmasi" was released on the 20th May 2005 in the state of Manipur. The book was authored by Dr. Khuplam Milui Lenthang, who is a devout pioneer on the subject.

According to press interview, the book covers diverse issues, including customs & cultures, etymology, anthropology, mythology, folksongs and folktales (meanings and witnesses) of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo people. Seminars on this genealogical connection have been conducted at different places.

Among others, a seminar on Manmasi identity was held in Shillong city, added the source. The theory of Kuki-Chin-Mizo people being one of the lost tribes of Israel has not convinced the larger section of the Mizo society. Although the veracity of the theory is not accepted by many, it has a robust influencing power.

A large number of people, who are converted to Judaism, have been flown into Israel from Manipur and Mizoram in recent years. Many more are expected to follow their loved ones into the ‘promised land’ in the years to come.

Very recently another book "Manmasi Year Book" was also released in Churachandpur, Manipur and was released by Prof. L. Fimate, Director of RIMS. The book was authored by Mr. Timothy Z. Zote and members of his editorial team.

The author must be congratulated for having ventured the publication of such book which gives an account of the kindred tribes who are obviously the descendants of our great ancestor, Manmasi. And equally impressive is the biography section covering who’s who among the Hmar, Lushei, Koms and Vaphei also.

Thus, in view of the present atmosphere and situation arising out here, unification is the need of the hour. Now it’s a high time to think for unification of all Zo descendants under one platform and to build up mutual understanding, love and care among us.

Thus it may not be wrong to use Manmasi as our nomenclature for unification of Zo descendants.