trekkerboy

Longmasu is the last village in Mizoram on the bank of the Chhimtuipui river. Beyond this, Burma border is 5km down the river. There are about 70 houses. The locals told me they moved to the current location around 1994 to be close to the then upcoming road.

The only source of water since leaving Tongkolong comes after Bymari and it doesn’t even look palatable. I was dutifully warned at Tongkolong.

About half way into Longmasu, I was greeted by this gate made of bamboos. The gate is to prevent cattle from Bymari from straying into Longmasu area.

The last village sighted but no sign of the mighty Chhimtuipui river.

Welcome to Lomasu, it’s original name in Mara. Lomasu means lungthu- three stones used to support a pot over the fire.

In fact there are three such big rocks which resemble lungthu on the bank of the river just outside the village. One of the rocks had fallen though. The locals told me the naming of the village after the three stones was influenced by Pu Laldenga (founder of MNF) who said whoever used three stones as lungthu to cook is a Mizo during the insurgency days.

The village playground which gets flooded in rainy season, infested by frogs and snakes which also becomes food for some of the villagers.

The village is inhabited by Mara, Bru and two tribes I have never known before- Matu and Zakhai.

Most houses in the village are bamboo huts.

I was lucky to be hosted in one of the best houses in the village, the house of Pu C. Lyhmo, a school teacher who was away.

The inside is even more impressive. Simple but very neat and tidy.

Needless to say there is no electricity, no phone and no healthcare. The only healthcare available is in the form of a Drug Distribution Center.

For emergencies there is a WLL phone at the house of the village head. I paid 5 rupees to call my relatives in Saiha to update them of my where about.

After a good night rest I woke to a misty morning.

After zing chaw (breakfast) I was on my way by boat to Saphaw, the caste of Beino.