The Milhiems

As narrated by Pu Seikhopap Misao.

* This article is taken from the book titled: ‘Zalengam :The Kuki Nation, By P.S. Haokip’.

The Milhiems originated from Khul. The Milhiem population is significantly high. They are
the descendants of Hangmi. Hangmi had three sons named Lupho, Lupheng and Misao. The
Lupho, Lupheng and Misao have adopted Milhiem as their common identity. Prior to the
legendary saga of Moirang Thoibi and Kumbi Khamba, which was two thousand years ago,
the Milhiems were settled at the place called Phubala. Phubala is at the foothills of the great
Thangjing hill, near Moirang. Folklore:At Phubala, the Milhems worshipped an idol,
representative of a local deity. The deity blessed the Milhiems. It bestowed upon them many
brave young men and beautiful maidens. The neighbours, in particular the Moirang people,
were curious about the source of the blessings. They were filled with jealousy and envy and
so decided to find out. They discovered that it was the deity of the Thangjing Hill that blessed
the Milhiems, and were set to possess it. So, the Moirang people without warning descended
upon the Milhems. A battle between the Milhiems and Moirang people ensued, which lasted
for several days. Not expecting such a turn of events to occur, the Milhiems were eventually
suppressed by the Moirang people. The Moirang people snatched the Deity from the Milhems
and started worshipping it. As the Milhiems, the Moirang people were blessed with many
brave men and beautiful young maidens. The legendary beauty of Thoibi remains to this day.
Many beautiful maidens are said to be have descended from Thoibi who are among the
Moirang people. In the old days, the people of Phubala and the people of Moirang
communicated with a single dialect. Their customs and culture were also the same. The other
Kuki people in Moirang at the time are the Chothes. King Chothe Thangvai Pakhangba was
also known as Thangvai Pakhangba or Ivang Purik Lai Thingri Nachouba. He ruled Moirang
from BC 90 – to AD 30, as recorded in the pre-history of Moirang. According to folklore, the
Milhiems and the Chothes were at constant rivalry. The Chothes were assimilated to the
Moirnag people, partly prompted by the strenuous relations with the Milhiems. Following the
battle with the settlers of Moirang, the Milhiems moved to settle in other parts of Zale’n-gam.
The major Milhiems villages are Maphou, Tonglhang, Misao-Lhahvom, Thangkanpahi, N.
Zilphai, Lungphou, Molkon, Kangpokpi, and Molvom in Nagaland. They are also settled in
North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong in Assam.