SIHHMUH
Sihhmuh is a village situated on the west of Thantlang town. It was founded in 1865. There is a fascinating historical fact behind the story of the founding of the village. The present-day Vanmualthar in Senthang area in Hakha township was once called "Vanmual," dwelt by about 300 households at a time. The big village was, however, wholly deserted in 1862 due to some substantial reasons. While there are some arguments on why people had to abandon the thriving village in an abrupt manner, fear of enemy was seen as the most likely cause, forcing people to leave in search of new secure places to live. About one third of the Vanmual people headed toward the west, and were received into the territory of Thantlang town ruled by Cinzah Chief Za Huat. It was this chief who allowed them to settle in his land, about 20 miles away from the town. They were led by Tai Ceu from Zathang clan, supported by some men from Thithiat, Famcun, and other clans.
As recorded by Carey and Tuck in their historical book, The Chin Hills, there were 15 households in Sihhmuh in 1892. Known as a nice, peaceful, and beautiful village, the aftermath of the 2021 military coup once again turns Sihhmuh into a flourishing one, which is now home to 300 inhabitants. Geographically, it is encircled by four neihboring villages – Vanzang on the north, Thangzang on the west, Sopum on the east, and Hmunlipi on the south. Sihhmuh is also widely known as the village of Rev. Van Lo, who came to faith in God based on his connection with Laura Carson, one of the first American Baptist missionaries to the Chin, was baptized in 1916, and was responsible for evangelizing most of the Thantlang township areas. His eldest son, Rev. James Sang Awi, was viewed as a wise, committed, and capable Baptist leader, who served as the General Secretary of Chin Baptist Convention for nine consecutive years. Hrang Nawl, the second son of Rev. Van Lo, was elected Member of Parliament while he was only 21 years old. Hrang Nawl was hailed as an exceptionally visionary, brave, and pragmatic Chin politician whose leadership paved the way for the formation of the first Chin Revolutionary Forces in 1964, opposing the rise of General Ne Win’s dictatorship in 1962.
There are two denominations in Sihhmuh today – Vanlo Baptist Church which came into existence in 1916 and Believers' Church which was established in the 1978. A new civilization was soon realized in the cultural, religious, and social life in Sihhmuh when Rev. Van Lo preached the gospel to people in love and attempted to modern the traditional society with his theological education. The main source of livelihood for the Sihhmuh people depends on a traditional "slash-and-burn" cultivation system, allowing them to grow rice, corn, and various kinds of vegetables. The vast land areas within the village’s territory well offer fertile soils suited for cultivations, which produce plenty of harvests for the people. Also, there are naturally grown trees, such as pine and fahia (a kind of hard wood), which are pretty useful for building houses. What makes Sihhmuh even more charming is that it is naturally blessed with a kind of wild fruit called "kethei," giving an exceptionally good flavor made up of sweet and sour tastes. A creek named "Thingva," flowing down to the west while marking the boundaries with Sopum and Vanzang on the north, presents itself as a real blessing for the people in terms of farming as well as fishing. “Kuapi” mount is the highest peak located on the east, where young people go picnic during summer. In general, Sihhmuh is known as an incredibly beautiful village, which is added by its distinct social and cultural life as well as its geographical landscape, where even outsiders feel attracted and love to spend their time joyfully.
