Surkhua
Surkhua is a town located in Hakha Township, in the western part of Senthang District, Chin State. It is the capital city of Senthang District. Surkhua was officially designated as the capital on November 23, 2019, by the Vice President of Myanmar, Pu Henry Van Thio. The village was originally founded by Pu Thang Cin from Phaizawng Village in AD 1575. It has been approximately 450 years since the village was established. Surkhua is situated 49 miles from Hakha.
In ancient times, Surkhua was called Saikhua Village or Vui Khua. When the residents were in Phaizawng Village, they hunted and killed a sai (elephant). Because they could not carry the head, they hung it in that area. For this reason, the place was named Sailutar. The word “sai” is an ancient term that stands for elephant (Vui). There were many elephants in the area now known as Surkhua Village. Later, the village was renamed Surkhua.
The neighboring villages around Surkhua are Phaipha (B) and Hausen to the north; Phaizawng and Lungrang to the west; and Dumva and Aika to the south. It is bordered by Lung Tar and Maukhua villages to the east. All the administrative offices of Senthang District are located in Surkhua, as it serves as the district capital.
During the British colonial period, Pu Mang Kung (Thian Hlun) was the chief of Surkhua. He resisted the British, and in retaliation, the British burned many houses in the village. At that time, Surkhua had 200 households, making it the largest village in Senthang. Pu Mang Kung was arrested and imprisoned in Min Chian by the British. The villagers managed to redeem him by providing 55 rounds of Lai Meithal ammunition. In 1910, Pu Mang Kung’s son, Pu Van Kio, was appointed as the chief (Ramukbawi) by the British. Pu Van Kio was a pioneer in agriculture, introducing paddy plough fields (Lei Thuan) in Lairam. He was also the first person from the area to complete grade four at Hakha Mission School. Pu Van Kio was an educated and respected leader, serving as a role model for the people of Senthang.
Several government institutions were established in Surkhua over the years. The civil hospital was established in 1978 by the government of Myanmar. The police station was set up in 1954. In 1991, the government opened a state high school in Surkhua.
Surkhua is surrounded by several notable mountains: Inthungtlang Mountain to the north, Bawipa Mountain to the west, and Bihathapi, also called Aikapa Mountain, to the south. Bawipa Mountain, at an altitude of 9,006 feet, is the second highest mountain in Chin State.
The people of Surkhua primarily depend on farming and agriculture for their livelihood. The village has fourteen lopil (corn) fields, which are divided into two areas: Zo Lopil, the cool area, and Tluang Lopil, the sunny area, which is used for paddy fields. Some residents also earn income through crafts, trade, and shops.
Before 1988, Surkhua’s population was approximately 1,700. However, due to the civil war, the population significantly decreased, as many residents fled to third countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Australia, England, Malaysia, and the United States. Today, about 700 people from Surkhua live in the United States, and around 350 reside in Malaysia.
The village school began as a missionary school from AD 1922 to 1924. The first teacher and headmaster was Saya Nawl Tling (Hniar Lawn), assisted by Pu Zo Mawng. In 1925, the school was officially organized as a public school by the government of Myanmar. Saya Nawl Tling is remembered as the first missionary worker in Surkhua.
Pastor Chan Let was the first local believer to become a pastor. He began his pastoral career in AD 1927. After his retirement, Pastor Hrang Nawn served as pastor, followed by Rev. Gideon That Hlun. Rev. L Khen Cham then continued as a full-time pastor. Currently, Rev. Zung Peng serves as the full-time pastor of Surkhua Baptist Church.
There are four churches or denominations in Surkhua: the Baptist Church, the Assembly of God Church (led by Pastor Pu Tum), the Jehovah’s Witness Church, and the Roman Catholic Church.
Surkhua has 308 households and a population of approximately 1,250 inhabitants.
