The Mizo people, historically called the Lushais,[h] are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group primarily from Mizoram in northeastern India.It consist of several tribes,ie, the Lusei, Hmar, Lai, Paihte, etc.

Due to Lallula's success in raids against their enemies, the Chins, it is plausible that the people prided themselves on their settlement name as the Braves of Zopui.

[24] In the 1961 census of India, 28000 Hmar, 109000 Lusei, 9000 Paihte, 40000 Pawi and 41000 Ralte declared themselves as Mizos which constituted 96% of the total population.

[26] Mizo is a broad ethnic classification of subgroups or clans inhabiting Mizoram (in colonial times the Lushai Hills) in India.

The reasons have been speculated to the rise of Tai towns such as Tagaung, Mogaung, Mohnyin, Wuntho, Homalin, Kale, Bahmo, Putai and Khamti.

The terrain of the highland hills and mountains did not allow flat land for large urban settlements, leading to small groups establishing unique socio-cultural identities.

[36] In the late 16th century, the Mizos at Seipui village fought with the Tedims who resided on the east of the Manipur river.

As the settlement expanded and mingled with neighbouring clans, the Lusei dialect gained prominence and eventually became the cornerstone of the modern Mizo language.

Tualte was home to several prominent figures in Mizo history, including Pasalṭha Vanapa (Thangzachhinga), Chawngduma, Zampuimanga, Keikawla, and Tawkthiala, among others.

[44][46] There are five major clans or tribes of the Mizo people which are Hmar, Lusei, Ralte, Lai (Pawi), and Mara (Lakher) which are known as the awzia.

[51] Subclans of the Hmar consist of: Lawitlung-Hrangchal, Rawite, Chawhte, Ngente, Vawngchhia, Bapui, Tusing, Changsan, Zote, Ngurte, Khawbung, Biate, Faiheng, Faihriam, Thiak, Pialtu, Parte, Varte, Chawnchhim, Chhungte, Tlangte, Pautu, Punte, Darngawn, Lungṭau, Lungchuong Leiri, Banzang, Pakhumate, Pajamate, Pakhuang,Pangulate, Pudaite, Pulamte, Neingate, Hrangate, Hrangdo, Hrangman, Puchhiate,Sinate, Sanate, Faiheng, Hrangate, Hrangdo, Hrangman, Hrangsote, Hrangkhawl, Hriler, Chawnghau, Chawngvawr, Hmarlushei, Huolngo, Chawnthei, Buhril, Selate, Vankal, Vanso, Tuolte, Arro, Puilo, Khawzawl.e.t.c [52] The Luseis were the first Mizo people whom the British encountered and so all were was initially known as the Lushai people.

At that time, the Lai people of the southern part of Mizoram, a segment of the much larger population of Lai/Chin, were granted an Autonomous District Council under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution in support of their identity.

[57] The subclans of the Pawi consist of: Zahau, Hauhih, Hauchhum, Chhunthang, Thanhrang, Khalthang, Bawithang, Bawitlung, Khuangli, Sunthla, Thlantlang, Sailung, Chinzah, Zathang, Panchun, Khninboh and Aineh.

Both the Siaha and the Saiko are Tlosai people, and they claim to have come from a site named Leisai, which is located between Leitak and Zaphai.

A study published in Genome Biology in 2004 found that the Y-DNA haplotypes of Mizo men were distinctly East and Southeast Asian.

[61] It is commonly believed that Mizoram and the Mizo people lacked a writing system before the arrival of the British, though this claim is only partially accurate.

According to the legend, the parchment was consumed by a mad hound, leaving the Mizo people without a script for much of their history.

Some historians suggest the tale was never intended to be taken literally; instead, the "mad hound" might symbolize a foreign ruler or authoritative figure who invaded the Mizos and destroyed their records.

For example, the Meitei people (Manipuris) recount the burning of the Puyas—their religious texts—by a Hindu king, illustrating a similar pattern of cultural erasure.

"[67] The Mizo language can be read by 91.3% of the population of Mizoram, making the state to have the third-highest literacy rates in India.

[72] Besides producing bamboo baskets, the Indian economic census covered that Mizo artisans create cane stools, gourd crafts, and pottery across its districts and subdivisions.

[75] A typical Mizo traditional attire for men comes with a big puan that varies colors, and different style of wearing it.

The most popular one is the Puan, which has three items of clothing—a shirt, a pair of leggings, and a head covering that resembles a dupatta—and is pretty similar to a churidar and a kurta.

Mizo marriage customs are deeply rooted in traditional practices, though they have evolved over time, especially with the influence of Christianity.

The process typically begins with Mangkhawn, a formal proposal where the groom's family sends an elder, known as the "Palai," to the bride's home to ask for her hand in marriage.

[76] The wedding ceremony includes the Buh-faak, a cherished rice-feeding ritual where the couple feeds each other, symbolizing their commitment and promise to support each other.

In Mizoram, it is quite typical to see sheds or small shops by the side of the road where vegetables and fruits are stored with signs stating the prices of things, but no merchant in sight.

[86] In the 19th century, European Christian missionary activity in the region led to conversion of some Chin, Kuki, and Mizo peoples.

In the mid-to-late 20th century, a rather small number of Mizo and related ethnic peoples in Assam and Mizoram began practicing Judaism, after a community leader had a dream in 1951 that they were descendants of the biblical figure Manasseh, a lost tribe of Israel.

That was followed by the March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising,[91] resulting in attacks on the military installations in Aizawl, Lunglei and other towns.