Mizo Mythical Creatures

I. Pheichham

Pheichham is the name given to a creature that is most likely a djinn or a type of goblin. The exact definition isn’t clear since there aren’t many written accounts of these creatures. Instead of causing harm to humans, they do the opposite–bring them good fortune. These creatures are one-legged, so when they fall down it’s extremely difficult for them to get back up. If anyone comes across a Pheichham that has fallen down and helps it up, they are granted a wish. Till date, the term Pheichham man or ‘catching a Pheichham’ is still used to describe having immense luck.

II. Lasi

The exact translation for these creatures vary. Most translate them as fairies, while a few call them demons. The description of a Lasi also differs from story to story. In many legends, these creatures disguise themselves as beautiful women and try to seduce hunters. If a hunter falls in love with a Lasi, the creature guides him in his hunting expeditions and he would never come home empty-handed from a hunt. The problem is that the hunter can never tell anyone about the Lasi nor be free from it without ending up dead. These creatures somewhat remind me of the succubus to a significant extent.

III. Keimi

My personal favourite is the keimi, which is basically a were-tiger, or a human that can turn itself into a tiger. The literal translation for keimi is ‘tiger-person’–’kei’ stands for tiger and ‘mi’ for person. If I’ve heard correctly, tales about these creatures are also told in other regions of the North East like Nagaland and Manipur (correct me if I’m wrong).

IV. Phung

Like the Lasi, the translation for Phung varies. Some would call them ogres, while others again define them as a type of demon. In many stories, the Phung is described as a horrendous humanoid creature with wild hair and pitch-black skin (?).

V. Huai

Huai is a broad term for demons in Mizo folklore. Some claim that the Huais aren’t demons but evil spirits. There are different types of Huais, mostly named according to the place in which they’re found. The Ramhuai is found in the forest and the literal translation is ‘forest demon’ or ‘forest spirit’. The Sihhuai is found in a sort of watering hole, which is again apt in that ‘sih’ refers to a type of watering hole. A Pukhuai is found in caves, the term translating to ‘cave demon’ or ‘cave spirit’. Most of these demons are bad, causing sickness and bad luck to humans. The Huai of the banyan tree, for instance, was believed to cause insanity. A watering hole rumoured to have a Huai was avoided by the entire village. Whenever our ancestors believed that a Huai was angry with them, they’d try to appease it with an animal sacrifice ritual. The sacrifice was performed by the Bawl Pu or witch doctor.

VI. Van Chung Nula

I think this is most likely a harpy (maybe a angel or a valkyrie) and is portrayed as female. ‘Van’ means sky, ‘chung’ means above, and ‘nula’ means maiden. So, the translation for this creature is a ‘sky maiden’ or maiden from above the sky (sounds lovely already). They are defined as beautiful women with long, flowing hair and large, bird-like wings.

VII. Khuavang

Khuavang is another type of goblin that is fairly smaller than a human. Some say they perform magic and are largely in control of nature. There are some terms like ‘khuavang kal lai’, which means pin-drop silence. The literal translation, though, refers to a moment in which the Khuavangs walk amongst us. A common saying was that the first person to talk after a pin-drop silence gets marked by the Khuavang with a mole. Incidentally, the mole is referred to as ‘khuavang chhinchhiah’ or ‘marking of a Khuavang’ in Mizo.

(Personally i think 'Khua' are celestial beings. Khuanu(mother nature) being the strongest and Khuavang being the weakest.)

VIII. Khawhring

A Khawhring can be defined as a type of spirit that enters a person’s body causing severe stomach cramps. When the family suspects that the person was possessed, they would ask it to reveal its identity and desires.

By speaking through the person, the spirit would reveal the name of a person and demand the sacrifice of a pig or hen. The accused person is then believed to own the spirit, although they’d be completely unaware of this.

IX. Thla Ai

A Thla Ai is a spirit associated with a human being that is on the verge of death from illness. To cure the sickness, a volunteer ventures into the forest in an attempt to bring home the spirit. Thla Ai follows the volunteer, making strange noises and screams all along the way. If the volunteer turns around even just a little bit, the spirit would fly away. ‘Thla Ai koh’ or ‘calling a Thla Ai’ was a ritual performed until the recent past.

X. Milian

Just like folklore from all parts of the world, the Mizos also have the story giants or Milian. There is the story of Mualzavata, who is mostly referred to as a strong man and a giant by some. His name literally translates to someone who can clear a hundred ranges of land. It was fabled that he can do this in one day. His wife was able to clear ninety ranges of land in one day.

There is a cave called ‘Puk Zing Cave’, which is about 75-feet wide, near Puk Zing Village. Legend has it that the cave was carved out by Mualzavata using only his hairpin.

Then there are also In Thum Kan which translates to 'able to walk over three houses with a single step'.

©Jacqueline Zote,Taarika John