The Kuki people: A complex identity shaped by colonial labels and migration

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Are the Kuki people defined by their own history, or by the names given to them by outsiders? From 12th-century land grants to British military buffers, the identity of this vast hill tribe community reveals a sophisticated dance between indigenous movement and external categorization.

The term 'Kuki' is primarily an exonym. Historically, it was used by Bengalis to describe tribes in the Patkai–Arakan Yomas, a mountain range between India and Myanmar. Records of the name date back to the 15th century in Tripura chronicles, while Sanskrit texts from the 12th century already mentioned 'Kukisthana' (Kuki-land). In contrast, many Kuki and Chin tribes today reject these colonial-era labels in favor of 'Zo' or 'Zomi'—self-designations that serve as generic terms for their collective identity. The British significantly complicated this identity by creating artificial distinctions. In 1777, they began using 'Kuki' to describe specific groups, while using 'Lushai' for others to the south. By 1907, British intelligence reports attempted to separate the Kuki tribes (such as the Ralte, Paite, and Thadou) from the 'Lushais' based on linguistic differences.

This era also saw the introduction of the 'Old Kuki' and 'New Kuki' categories in the 1850s. However, modern scholars consider these terms misleading, as they do not accurately reflect a chronological progression of the people. Migration patterns further layered this complexity. Ethnologist C. A. Soppitt suggested that different groups moved into the region at different times, with some being pushed out by expanding tribes. For instance, the powerful Kamhau-Sukte tribe expanded significantly in the 1830s, driving other tribes toward the Manipur border. To manage these movements, the British established 'sepoy villages' as armed buffers. Today, the Kuki people remain a diverse tapestry of about fifty recognized tribes, navigating a shared history of resistance, missionary influence, and evolving self-definition.

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