Chin Community USA
Comment: Sources must be about the subject of the article (CCUSA), not about people associated or events associated, in order to prove notability. Bungle491 (talk) 02:06, 31 October 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: In preparing this draft, I disclose that AI assistance was used as follows: I'm native Falam(Chin) speakers and can write fluently in both languages, but I used Google Translate to double check my English grammar. Aasenomad (talk) 14:32, 29 October 2026 (UTC)
- Comment: In preparing this draft, I disclose that AI assistance was used as follows: I'm native Falam(Chin) speakers and can write fluently in both languages, but I used Google Translate to double check my English grammar. Aasenomad (talk) 01:57, 29 October 2026 (UTC)
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| Formation | 5 July 2002 |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Legal status | Nonprofit |
| Subsidiaries | Literature & Education, Information & Publicity, Social & Humanitarian, Women, Youth, Art & Culture, Music, Finance |
| Website | www.chincommunityusa.org |
Chin Community USA (CCUSA) is a non-profit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) corporation formed in 2002. The organization aims to uphold and promote the Chin tradition, culture and literature, improve education and social welfare in the Chin community in America, support people who have suffered loss or bereavement, celebrate individuals and encourage responsible citizenship among Chin people.[1]
History
1. Early Chin Migration to the United States
Very few Chin people immigrated to the United States at first from Chin state, Myanmar. Most came for personal reasons or education. Forth Nai Sang is described as the first Chin person to settle in the country, arriving on 29 July 1957 on a scholarship to study medicine.[2]
During the 1970s, a small number of Chin people moved to the United States through family sponsorship, work or further education. Immigration increased from around 2000. A few people arrived from Guam between 1998 and 2001, and from 2000 onwards most came from India and Malaysia.[3]
2. Early Chin Community Gatherings and Festivals
Early Chin immigrants in the United States organized gatherings and cultural celebrations in their local communities, bringing together relatives, friends and other Chin people.
In 1986, Pu Thawnghmung organized a Dongpui festival at the home of Pu Kulh Ci in Portsmouth, Virginia. Since 1994, a Fanger festival has been held every year in Atlanta, Georgia, organized by Pu Kawl Lian, Pu Van Lian Kio and Pu Jacob Lian.
By 2002, the Chin population in the United States had grown and was living in different states. On 5 July 2002, the Lailun Foundation organized a seminar in the Falam language in Atlanta, attended by people from several states. Later that evening, a community meeting was held at the home of Pu Ngun Lian, where a majority approved the formation of Chin Community USA.
A steering committee, the Tuzing Khawmti, was chosen to assist in forming the organization. It consisted of:
- Rev. Dr. David Lai Sum - Convenor
- Pu Fung Dun - Convenor
- Pu Sui Ling
- Pu Hrang Thawng
- Pu Lal Nei Mang
- Pu Van Tuah Piang
- Pu Hantinko Zahau
3. The Chin New Year Festival
Among the Falam speaking Chin people, the new year has traditionally been known by several names, including Fanger, Dongpui, Tho and Kut.[4] CCUSA chose to use Chin Kum Thar (Chin New Year) so that it could be used across Chin communities.
According to CCUSA, the new year was traditionally celebrated after the harvest, at the first full moon, following the traditional calendar and counting system. The festival marks the new harvest and the new year. Traditionally, people gave thanks to Khawzing Pathian (God) for the previous year and prayed for the coming year.
The Chin New Year Festival organized by CCUSA has expanded over the years to include cultural competitions, activities and sporting events.[5] The festival is held in a different U.S. state each year. Competitions include Chin Idol, Miss and Mister contests, modern and traditional fashion shows, poetry, arts, and nungthuleng, as well as soccer and volleyball tournaments.[6]
Leadership History
| Number | Name | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pu Defence Lalaung | General Secretary | 2002 - 2004 |
| 2 | Pu Hre Mang | Assistant General Secretary | 2002 - 2004 |
| 3 | Pu Sang Lyen | General Secretary | 2004 - 2006 |
| 4 | Pu Jacob Lian | Assistant General Secretary | 2006 - 2008 |
| 5 | Pu Sang Lyen | President | 2006 - 2008 |
| 6 | Pu Jacob Lian | General Secretary | 2006 - 2008 |
| 7 | Pu Fung Dun | President | 2008 - 2010 |
| 8 | Pu Hre Mang | General Secretary | 2008 - 2009 |
| 9 | Pu Fung Dun | President | 2010 - 2012 |
| 10 | Pu Van Tuah Piang | General Secretary | 2009 - 2012 |
| 11 | Pu Kap Tthio | President | 2012 - 2014 |
| 12 | Pu Hantinko Zahau | General Secretary | 2012 - 2014 |
| 13 | Pu Kap Tthio | President | 2014 - 2016 |
| 14 | Pu Jacob Lal | General Secretary | 2014 - 2016 |
| 15 | Pu Run Nei Thang | President | 2016 - 2018 |
| 16 | Pu Kap Tthio | General Secretary | 2016 - 2018 |
| 17 | Pu Siang Luai Mang | President | 2018 - 2021 |
| 18 | Pu David Nuntho Taisun | General Secretary | 2018 - 2021 |
| 19 | Pu Siang Luai Mang | President | 2021 - 2025 |
| 20 | Lal Korss Tan Vung | General Secretary | 2021 - 2025 |
| 21 | Pu Ni Luai Mang | President | 2025 - present |
| 22 | Run Herh Ling | General Secretary | 2025 - present |
CCUSA Person of the Year Award Recipients
| Number | Name | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rev. Dr. Hre Kio | 2003 |
| 2 | Dr. Za Hlei Thang | 2005 |
| 3 | Edward Thawng Hmung | 2006 |
| 4 | Dr. Runbik Taiṭhio | 2007 |
| 5 | Rev. Dr. Biak Hlei Mang | 2008 |
| 6 | Levi Sap Nei Thang | 2009 |
| 7 | Lailun Foundation | 2010 |
| 8 | Cheery Zahau | 2011 |
| 9 | Ngun Thawng | 2012 |
| 10 | No Than Kap | 2013 |
| 11 | Dr. Hrin Nei Thiam | 2014 |
| 12 | Olivia YinHau Thawngluai | 2015 |
| 13 | Thawm Hlei Mang | 2016 |
| 14 | Salai Lian Luai | 2017 |
| 15 | Dr. Than Bil Luai | 2018 |
| 16 | Pu Van Kyi | 2019 |
| 17 | Benjamin Sum | 2021 |
| 18 | Rosalin Zahau | 2022 |
| 19 | Rev. Dr. Hre Mang | 2023 |
| 20 | Dr. Vul Thang | 2025 |
| 21 | Nung Lian Sum | 2026 |
Note: The Person of the Year award was not presented in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
CCUSA Youth of the Year Award Recipients
| Number | Name | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jochebed Kim | 2026 |
Note: The Youth of the Year was first presented in 2026.
Miss CCUSA Pageant Winners
| Number | Name | Year | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katie Biakkong | 2004 | Michigan |
| 2 | Zo Hming Thang | 2005 | Georgia |
| 3 | Esther Suikhinpar Thang | 2006 | Maryland |
| 4 | Van Lal Cer | 2007 | Georgia |
| 5 | Oliva Bawi Oo | 2008 | Maryland |
| 6 | Christina Sawnset | 2009 | Michigan |
| 7 | Jenifer Pui | 2010 | Michigan |
| 8 | Ngun Sui | 2011 | Indiana |
| 9 | Nilan Mang | 2012 | North Carolina |
| 10 | Linda Aung | 2013 | Maryland |
| 11 | Linda Siangcinmawi Dim | 2014 | Maryland |
| 12 | Ngun Hniang Sin Sung | 2015 | South Carolina |
| 13 | Lal Zar Mawi | 2016 | South Carolina |
| 14 | Van Ro Sung | 2017 | Pennsylvania |
| 15 | Dim Khan Cing | 2018 | North Carolina |
| 16 | Jemimah Kim | 2019 | Kentucky |
| 17 | Jenny Vung | 2022 | South Carolina |
| 18 | Van Nei Mawi | 2023 | Georgia |
| 19 | Dawt Hlei Hniang | 2024 | Texas |
| 20 | Gracy Mawi | 2025 | Kentucky |
| 21 | Nancy Mawi | 2026 | South Carolina |
Note: The competition was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mister CCUSA Pageant Winners
| Number | Name | Year | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Titus Samuel Lian | 2022 | Maryland |
| 2 | Lai Rem Ceu | 2023 | Georgia |
| 3 | Van Lian Hum | 2024 | Iowa |
| 4 | David Hmung | 2025 | Indiana |
| 5 | David Mawi | 2026 | Michigan |
Note: The Mister CCUSA pageant was first held in 2022.
References
- ↑ Kim, Fibi. "Chin students to celebrate annual festival". The Journal Rewired. Retrieved 2026-10-28.
- ↑ "Dr. Forth Naisang - Groce Funeral Home". 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2026-10-29.
- ↑ "Without refuge: Chin refugees in India and Malaysia". Forced Migration Review. Retrieved 2026-10-29.
- ↑ Myanmar, Global New Light of (Oct,27,2026). "Locals celebrate traditional Chin Harvest Festival in Falam". The Global New Light of Myanmar. Retrieved Oct,28,2026. Check date values in:
|access-date=, |date=(help) - ↑ Mawi, Rachel. "Division Among Burmese Youth". FOCUS. Retrieved 2026-10-29.
- ↑ "Chin New Year". Burma Research Institute. Retrieved 2026-10-29.
- ↑ "Chin celebrations in October – Chinland Guardian". www.chinlandguardian.com. Retrieved 2026-10-29.
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