Vanmualthar is a village located in the southwest of Senthang District, Hakha Township, Chin State, Myanmar. It lies 15 miles from Hakha City at an elevation of approximately 3,730 feet above sea level.
The village was founded in AD 1943 by Pu Khuk Er (Zathang Darkhuah), Pu Mang Lei (Zathang Sangte), Pu Lei Hmung (Zathang Sangte), and Pu Hmawng Thawn (Zathang Darkhuah) from Buanlung Village. Formerly, Vanmualthar was known as Lichia. It was officially annexed by the government in AD 1948.
In 1994, the name was changed from Lichia to Vanmualthar through the prayers and guidance of Rev. Ni Hu, former General Secretary of the Hakha Baptist Association (HBA). The name “Vanmual” was taken from an older village of the same name that had been destroyed in the past, and the word “Thar,” meaning “new,” was added. Thus, Vanmualthar means “New Vanmual Village.”
Geography
Vanmualthar is surrounded by several mountains and rivers:
- East: Bawinu River and Loklung Village
- West: Zovailangtlang Mountain, Kakau Mountain, Congthia Village, Zathal Village, and Buanlung Village
- North: Darkarnu Lung (rock cliff) and Phan Zaang Stream
- West (also): Mehsih River
The village was officially included in the map of Myanmar on April 11, 1948.
Religion
A church has existed in Vanmualthar since 1948. The first converts from the traditional Laiphung religion to Christianity were:
Pu Lei Hmung, Pu Thawng Bawm, Pu Hniar Mang, Pu Ruat Kung, Pi Tawk Zing, Pi Mang Ki, Pi Ni Tlem, Pi Sal Hram, Pi Hlei Lo, and Pi Si Zing.
Today, there is only one church in the village—the Baptist Church. The Assembly of God Church operated from 1997 to 2012 but is no longer active. The Baptist Church currently has three full-time pastors: Rev. Par Hluan, Pastor Dar Hlei Tial, and Pastor Ceu Hlei Hmung.
The first missionary worker from Vanmualthar was Pi Kawng Ngen, who served as a CCOC worker in Kanpetlet for four years until her passing in 2014. In the Chin State context, CCOC stands for Chin for Christ in One Century, a program launched by the Zomi Baptist Convention (ZBC), the highest religious institution among the Chin people, with the goal of making the entire Chin population Christian by the end of the 20th century.
Education
The first primary school was established in 1963 when Pu Khuk Er was village chief. Sixteen years later, a government primary school was opened, and it fostered students up to Grade 8 as a private school. The first school building was constructed in 1971, and the second in 1955 (still in use today).
After the recent conflict in Myanmar, villagers and those living abroad helped expand the school to include Grade 9.
Economy
Vanmualthar’s residents primarily earn their living through farming and shifting cultivation.
Current Population
Vanmualthar has 50 households and approximately 200 inhabitants.
