Chin, Siyin in Myanmar (Burma)

Introduction / History

The Siyin Chin are described in the book "The Chin Hills:" "The origin of the progenitor of the Siyin tribe is, according to the natives, shrouded in mystery. Traditions states that a gourd fell from the heaven and bursting with the fall, emitted a man and woman; These became the Chin Adam and Eve, and their Garden of Eden was Chin New, a village already mentioned. This story is not peculiar to Siyin Chin, but is believed by all the tribes in the Northern Chill Hills. The Siyin are called "Taute" or "Taukte" by the Lushais and Southern Chins, "Tau" meaning "stout" or "sturdy" and "te" is the plural affix implying "people". Neyan of Chin New is the father of the Siyin tribe; he lived 13 generation ago and he had three sons, Ne Nu, Vamlok, and Daitong; these three together left the nursery of the Northern Chins, migrated some 12 miles to the east, and founded the two villages of Limkai and Twantak." The Siyin Chin employ the various terms Sokte, Sazang and Siyin to refer to themselves.

Where Are they Located?

The Siyin Chin live in the Tidim township in Chin State in Myanmar. They are located in the Sagaing Yangon Divisions.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The majority of the Siyin Chin make a living by cultivating the soil. Their crops are maize, rice and apples. In addition, they sell logs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Before missionaries arrived, the Siyin Chin were primarily animists, worshiping various kinds of "Nats" The Siyin Chin say that there is no Supreme God and no other world than this world, which is full of evil spirits who inhabit the fields, infest the houses, and haunt the jungles. These spirits must be appeased or bribed to keep them from doing harm such as destroying crops, making women barren, or causing a lizard to enter the stomach and devour it.

When the body dies man becomes a spirit and lives in the spirit world of the forest. If a man dies a natural or accidental death, his spirit is content, and he troubles no one. But if he has been slain, his spirit will remain with his relatives until his blood avenges his death. The spirit will haunt and annoy them, especially at night; therefore the relatives of the murdered, to save themselves from the spirit, must shed blood.

The first converts were despised and hated due to their faith in God. The more the hatred by the villagers increased, the more believers the Lord added. All the Christians were forced to live outside the village.

What Are Their Needs?

There is a need for adequate transportation and roads. Spiritually, there is a need for maturity in the lives of the believers.

Prayer Points

Pray for growth of the church among the Siyin Chin.
Pray for strong, educated pastors and leaders.
Pray for unity of the believers in the work of the ministry.

Text Source:   Joel Mang