“Tongkalong,” a Victim of Mizonization of Mara Names

(This is a modified version of the one publised by Zawlbuk.Net)

The other day, I came across a web page where some Mizo brothers made fun of the name (possibly the sound of the word) of a Mara village, Tôkalô, called “Tongkalong” in Mizo. I had lived in Tôkalô as their pastor. I like the village. The people of Tôkalô are kind and hospitable. And above all, Tôkalô is my beloved Mara village. So I was hurt.

Christian Families as Christian Home Schools

Introduction

For some, especially for those who are yet to have children and grand children, you may feel this message not relevant to your situation. But you are would be parents and grand parents, therefore, it is not too early to hear this important message of “Christian Home School.”

Deuteronomy 6:1-12 provides biblical basis and mandate for making our families Christian home schools:

EXPERIENCING THE RISEN LORD: EMMAUS STYLE

Luke 24:13-35

Introduction

The background of the text went back to a time when the Israelites were under the rule and oppression of the Romans. So when Jesus appeared at that very period of history, his followers believed, or rather wanted to believe (?) that he would be the Messiah, who would redeem them from the rule and oppression of the Romans. But, the one in whom they had put all their hope for the redemption of Israel was no more. He’s dead. Therefore, it is no surprise that his two disciples, one of them named Cleopas, became downcast and hopeless because of the death of Jesus. However, their sorrow was to turn into joy. On the third day of Jesus’ death, the women reported that they saw him; he’s alive. Like other disciples, these two disciples, too, were amazed by this news. Could it be true? They did not know. They had no prove. As they were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, talking about the events, the risen Lord himself came and walked along with them. But they did not recognize him. The three of them talking all the way, they arrived in Emmaus. As it was already evening, the two men invited their fellow traveller to be their guest. At the dinning table, Jesus opened the eyes of the disciples. Immediately they recognized that it was Jesus their Lord. They were overjoyed and could not wait to tell other disciples their experience. They could not wait till the next day. They got up and returned to Jerusalem the same night.

LINGUISTIC ECOLOGY OF MARA

LINGUISTIC ECOLOGY OF MARA 

(Note: I wrote this article for an edited book on "Linguistic Ecology of North East India," edited by a NEHU Professor through Ms Zamtei, a research scholar at NEHU in 2012. But I have not heard about the publication. This is an unedited version. I am working on making it a full book under a different topic. Criticisms and suggestions for improvement are welcome. Laiu Fachhai)

1. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

The bulk of the materials in this article is taken from the writer’s previous research, “A Brief Introduction to Mara History, Culture and Identity” in Rediscovering Mara History, Culture and Identity, edited by Bobby Beingachhi and M Vabeiryureilai and published by the Mara Research Society, Saiha, Mizoram, 2010, cut and paste verbatim in most cases. The writer is indebted to the Mara Research Society for the permission to reproduce the materials for the present book.

It is impossible to present a complete factual record of one’s (past) history, linguistic ecology included. The so-called historical records usually are only fragmented stories within the overall history of a person, family, clan, tribe, nation, or empire. Therefore, in this writer’s opinion, writing a history or doing historiography is a science of interpreting and reinterpreting myths, legends, stories, genealogies, and events of a person, family, clan, tribe, nation, kingdom and empire. This article is no exception. It is this writer’s interpretation and reinterpretation of myths, legends, stories, genealogies, and events surrounding the Mara people, with special reference to their linguistic ecology.

Sermon: How should Christians relate to others?

This is the message (unedited) I delivered at the Shipai Friendship Presbyterian Church in Taipei, Taiwan, this Sunday (06 Apr 2014).

HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS RELATE TO OTHERS?
Luke 6:27-31

(For illustration only)

One afternoon, a friend asked me, “You don’t look happy today?” He was right. I was not happy that day because I had a quarrel with my wife that morning. (We are OK now.) What determines the state of our emotion – happiness, sadness, anger, etc.? For me, more than anything else, it’s relationship.

A visitor who carried his Cross

I wrote this poem on Good Friday 2000 in Khartoum, Sudan. Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus’ cross [Luke 23:26] is one of the characters in the Bible I admire and want to emulate.

A VISITOR WHO CARRIED HIS CROSS
A Good Friday Poem

Brother Simon,
What brought you
all the way from Cyrene
to Jerusalem
the day they crucified
the Lord?