Zomi National Day (Zo Minam Ni)
| Zomi National Day | |
|---|---|
Zo flag
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| Also called | Chin National Day, Mizoram State Day, Twentieth of February' |
| Observed by | Zo people |
| Type | Ethnic |
| Significance | Celebrating the first Zomi National Day in Mindat, Burma, February 20, 1951. |
| Celebrations | Praising & worshiping God, wearing national garments, attending concerts and culture events, eating national food, displaying flags |
| Date | February 20 |
| Next time | 20 February 2018 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Zogam |
The Zomi National Day is an indigenous ethnic national day for the Zo people that falls on February 20 as this date was when the first Zomi congress was held in 1948 in Mindat, Burma. This was the first time that Zomi came together to work together to find solutions for Zo people.
The 'Zomi National Day did not come into being accidentally but it came into existence as a result of the long and steady struggle against the hereditary feudal system, colonialism and imperialism. This historical day was born through national unity.
On 20 February 1928 the Chin Hills Union Organisation (CHUO) was formed in the Chin Hills of Burma. This was a milestone in the history of the people because for the first time a home-grown political organization was formed. It also laid down the foundation for the introduction of a national day.
The first general meeting of the Chin Hills Union Organization was successfully held at Ware Village, Chin State on 29 September 1932. The meeting resolved to work together for success in the fields of education, health, economy and social affairs. They also took the difficult and painful decision to drive out the imperialists as soon as possible. In fact, they extended their whole-hearted help in the 1936 Students’ Strike. Subsequently, the political momentum picked up with the CHUO submitting nine petitions to the British Burma Government for the improvement of Chin Hills in various fields, including:
[A] to grant equal rights in administration to Zomi similar to other foreign national;
[B] to administer Chin Hills according to the rules and regulations adopted by the Zomi;
[C] to permit freedom of religions;
[D] to allow Zomi to havefreedom of relationship with any nationality;
[E] to grant independence to Zomi simultaneously with Myanmar.
There was heated debate between the CHUO leaders and the British on the above memorandum. The Zomi were very angry with the unfriendly attitudes of the British, thus demonstrations against the Government took place in various parts of Kanpetlet. The 36 members of circle Chairmen declared their resignations from the public service in defiance of the detention of Zomi political leaders. Demonstrations against the Government also took place in many parts of the area. They said that they would no longer pay tax and would not also serve as their coolies.
Furthermore, Aung San-Atlee Agreement was signed on 27 January 1947. In line with the agreement, the Constituent Assembly was to be elected to determine future administrative affairs of Myanmar. As such, Panglong Conference was held on 7 February 1947 and Panglong Agreement was signed on 12 February 1947.
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Wikipedia