I Visited Pu Buanga's Original Tombstone in Lunglei - History Brought from London

During the 2nd Grand Assembly of the Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM) at BCM Church Venglai, Lunglei (Kalvari Biak In), where I attended, I got some free time and visited the BCM Headquarters Archives at Serkawn with Pu Liantluanga, my host. 

My heart was deeply moved when I saw Pu Buanga's tombstone that was brought from London! 

I saw something that gave me goosebumps - the ORIGINAL tombstone of Rev. J.H. Lorrain (Pu Buanga), brought from South Ealing Cemetery, London in 2015.

What is this Memorial?

In the glass case you see two stone slabs that say "Pioneer Missionary to the Lushai Tribe India 1893-1932". 

This is not a replica - this is the actual stone from London where Pu Buanga was buried in July 1944, aged 74.

In 2017, BCM Assembly at Chanmari, Lunglei decided to honor our first missionaries by restoring their graves - Sap Upa (F.W. Savidge) in Cambridgeshire and Pu Buanga in London. A BCM team brought these stones back to Mizoram to preserve our history.

Why Pu Buanga is Father of Mizoram?

1. With Sap Upa, he landed at Sairang on Jan 11, 1894. 

2. Created Mizo alphabet using Roman script. 

3. Translated Gospel of Luke, John, Acts and made first Mizo Dictionary - the famous Pu Buanga Dictionary. 

4. First baptism at Nghasih river, Lunglei on 20 Jan 1904 - 23 believers.

My Experience at the Archives

At BCM Library & Archives Room, Serkawn, you will see timeline of Lushai Hills, pictures of Savidge and Lorrain, their original graves in UK, and "Their Story in Pictures Part II" - old black & white photos of early converts, churches, schools.

The Dining Table of Pu Buanga (JH Lorrain) and his colleague was preserved precisely. It is a reminiscent of God's provision in their ministry at Mizoram. 

The atmosphere is quiet, reverent. Two persons in my photo were also visitors - we stood in silence seeing how one man's obedience in 1890 changed the whole identity of Mizoram.

How to Visit?

Location: Baptist Church of Mizoram Headquarters, Serkawn, Lunglei District - 2nd biggest church in Mizoram. 

Timing: Contact BCM Archives & Library Dept. 

Permit: Ask at BCM office - very helpful staff. 

Tip: Combine with Kawmzawl Park, Saikuti Hall, and Nghasih Stream - all within 10km.

If you are doing Theology or Mission History research like me, this place is a must. It connects Tribal Theology, Dalit Theology and our Mizo Christian identity. 

Have you visited this place? 

Share your story!

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MIZO

CCM Inkhawmpui Lian Vawi 2-na, Venglai, Lungleia ka telnaah hun awl ka neih veleh, ka thlenna Pu Liantluanga nen Serkawn BCM HQ Archives kan tlawh a. Pu Buanga thlan lung London aṭanga rawn hawn ka hmuh chuan ka thinlung a khawih hle mai! BCM Headquarters Archives, Serkawn kan tlawh a, ka thinlung a khawih hle mai - Rev. J.H. Lorrain (Pu Buanga) thlan lung tak tak, London South Ealing Cemetery aṭanga kum 2015-a BCM-in a rawn hawn chu ka hmu a!

He Lung Phun Hi Enge A Nih?

Dar thlalang chhunga lung pahnih inkhawm, "PIONEER MISSIONARY TO THE LUSHAI TRIBE INDIA 1893-1932" tia inziak kha thil lem a ni lo - London-a Pu Buanga July 1944-a kum 74-a a boral a, an phumna lung tak tak a ni.

Kum 2017 March 8-12 khan BCM Assembly Vawi 121-na Chanmari, Lunglei-ah chuan an rel a - "Kan Missionary hmasa berte kan ngaihhlutna leh kan hriatrengna lantir nan an thlan hlute chei that nise." 

1. Sap Upa (Rev. F.W. Savidge) Stretham, UK 

2. Pu Buanga (Rev. J.H. Lorrain) South Ealing, London. 

BCM team te London-ah kalin phalna lain he lung hi Mizoram-ah an rawn hawn ta a ni.

Engvangin Pu Buanga Hi Mizoram Pa A Nih?

1. Sap Upa nen January 11, 1894 ah Sairang an rawn thleng - Tunah Missionary Day kan tih chu. 

2. Mizo hawrawp Roman hawrawp hmangin a siam - A, AW, B, CH... 

3. Luka, Johana, Tirhkohte ziak leh Mizo Dictionary hmasa ber - "Pu Buanga Dictionary" tih lar tak kha a siam. 

4. Nghasih lui, Serkawn-ah Jan 20, 1904 ah mi 23 hnenah baptisma a pe hmasa ber.

London Post Office-a Telegraphist hna thawktu, chanchinbu-a Mary Winchester naupang Lushai hovin an man lai thlalak a hmuh aṭangin "Heng hnam bo te hnenah Chanchin Tha ka hrilh ang" tiin a intiam a. Theology degree pawh nei lo, van kohna chauh neih a ni.

Ka Tawnhriat - Archives Room Ah

BCM Archives & Library Room-ah chuan Timeline of Lushai Hills, Sap Upa leh Pu Buanga thlan UK-a awm lai thlalak, "Their Story In Pictures Part II" - kan pi leh pu te hmanlai thlalak dum leh var, kohhran hmasa, sikul hmasa te a awm vek.

A reh ruih mai a, zahna leh chawimawina a khat. Ka thlalak-a ka dinpui te nen khan ngawi rengin kan en a - Mi pakhat inpekna avangin Mizoram pumpui hmel a danglam vek tih ka hre chhuak.

Engtin Nge Kan Tlawh Theih?

Hmun: Baptist Church of Mizoram Headquarters, Serkawn, Lunglei District - Mizoram-a kohhran lian ber dawttu. 

Hun: BCM Archives & Library Dept biak tur. 

Permit: BCM office ah dil mai tur, an fel em. 

Tip: Kawmzawl Park, Saikuti Hall, Nghasih Lui te nen - 10km chhung vek an ni.

Theology zir te, Mission History ngaina te tan chuan he hmun hi tlawh ngei ngei tur a ni. Tribal Theology, Dalit Theology leh Mizo Kristianna inzawmna a lang chiang hle. 

Nang engtik nge i tlawh ve? I tawnhriat comment ah min lo hrilh ve teh!