The Pawi Tribe resides in the south and south-eastern part of Mizoram. They have migrated from the Chin Hills of Burma. The Pawi call themselves Lai. This is commonly known as Chins in the Chin Hills district of Burma. At home the Pawis speak the Lai language and they speak the Mizo (Dulian) language in Schools and with the other tribals.

The Pawis and the Lushais have similar custom and modes of lifestyle. The Pawis are more conventional and less westernised in comparison to the Lushais. Among the Pawis the following clans are most common like Hlawnchhing, Hniahm, Chinzah, Khenglawt, Satheng Bawittlung, Mualching and Zathang. The sub-clans of the Pawis are Bawm, TlangJan, and pang. Inter-marriage between the Mizos and the Lakhers are very common.

The Pawis usually prefer to grow maize and millet. They do not grow much rice. Men have long hair which they in a bun on the head. Women also keep long hair. The women folk put on lot of ornaments around their neck, ear, ankle and ankle but of late the modern youth do not keep long hair as they prefer to put on western style and attire.

Among the Pawis, the eldest son is entitled to the property of his father. The 12 member Regional Council in 1953 gave the Pawis autonomy of village administration. Education has slowly spread among them.

This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com