Tonzang

Tonzang is an Indo-Myanmar village within the Churachandpur district of Manipur, India. Along with Hiangtam, it is one of the oldest Zou settlements in Manipur.

"Sim" & "Mal" Tonzang

Tonzang echoes the name of an older Burmese settlement of the Zou community by the same name (Sim Tonzang) which still exists today. To distinguish it from its older Burmese counterpart, the Indian Tonzang is sometimes called "Mal Tonzang", literally meaning "Northern Tonzang". The Zous are found on both sides of the Indian and Burmese borders. Further, Zangnuam and L.Kanaan villages were spin-offs of Tongzang village.

The Chivu Salt Springs

The historical site of Chivu salt springs (Chivu Tampaak) was located south of Tongzang village. Located on the right bank of the Tuivai river, the Chivu springs had been associated with a number of local legends and myths. Before the advent of cheap manufactured salt in the area, the local population obtained their supply of salt from the Chivu springs.

Ruins of World War II

Located on the right bank of the Tuivai river, Tonzang has some remains of bridges built during World War II over the Tuivai. The Lei Saang, literally "high bridge" was destroyed by the Allied Forces to check the advancing Japanese troops. The foundations of another structure damaged during World War II supports a suspension bridge that connects Tongzang and Behiang villages.

Khodai dialect of Tonzang

The inhabitants of Tonzang traditionally speak a distinctive Zou dialect called Khodai. It has a few peculiar words and phrases not found in the vocabulary repertoire of other Zou speakers. But internal migrations and outside influence is fast diluting those subtle dialect differences among the younger generations.

Community Life

The local population is Christian, and belong mainly to two denominations - the Presbyterian Church and the Lutheran Church. The Presbyterians had a touring Choir Group in the 1980s which later split up. Otherwise, this relatively conservative Zou village has a poor record in terms of Human Development.