Zo Raetapaw 
Zo is what they have identified themselves since their origin in Tibet, perhaps even centuries earlier in BC. When their forefathers fled Kale valley and went to the hills in groups they became isolated from one another. Some retained Zo properly while others did with slight variation. Down through the centuries people of Tedim, Haka and Thantlang and part of Matupi past, maintain with linguistic variations as Cho, Ashu, and Khumi which are nevertheless Zo. Prof. Lehman. Robin, U BT Tin & U T Tlaing.
They had been Internationally recognized as Zo/Jo by Fan Cho, a Chinese diplomat and scholar, as early as 862 AD. A whole host of international and national scholars in the colonial and post-colonial days rallied behind Fan Cho defending they were Zo people. They all confirmed Zo as the generic name for Kuki, Lushai or Chin, thereby establishing that Zo is pivotal to their national identity. No other name but Zo alone qualifies them to be the legal children of a distinguished lineage excelling all other contending identities imaginable. Zo is their definitive identity which has been historically ‘decreed’ a fait accomplice for over 2000 years.
Prof. Lehman: “To call yourselves Zo, is a more egalitarian choice saying in effect that you are all alike, the same, namely, the people defined by the contrast between Hills and Plains” Chin National Journal Chin, Lai and Zo p96.
Be all ears!
Chin is an alien name devoid of national essence. It was later found that the designation of Chin was an error. They were Zo. Moreover, Chin is only myth founded on paganism. Accepting Chin means accepting they emerged from the bowels of the earth and issued at Chinlung cave. Nothing makes God more jealous and angry than His noblest work of creating mankind in His own image being robbed of by ‘Chin’. (The Lord Your God is a jealous God and His anger will burn against you and will destroy you from the face of the earth. Deu 6:15. He revenges. Nah 1:2) How terrifying it is for them to deny they are God’s creation by the simple act of calling themselves Chin thereby provoking His wrath.
How long have they been disparaging God’s noblest creation of mankind by calling themselves Chin? How much longer shall they go on before God’s temper frays?
In light of the mounting historical evidence stated in this paper and with a sense of national awareness and logic, there is hope they will shed the “God’s-anger-provoking name ‘CHIN’ and don in splendour the rightful regalia of the dignified “Zomi” soon. It is until then that there will be no reconciliation with the Creator. Bear in mind that reconciliation is not possible as long as they deny they are God’s creation by flying the banner that announces they “were issued from caves”. Also, given those who gave them the appellation Chin, did realize themselves that it was a mistake, their identity, Chin, clearly is an empty ‘misnomer’. Now, armed with the knowledge of their anviably distinguished history as Zo it is high time to rethink their identity.
This Article Received From, and Credit to: Dr.J. Suan Za Dong, Sydney, Australia
