Why were names such as Lolo and Lushai replaced by Yi and Mizo?

The transition from names such as Lolo and Lushai to Yi and Mizo reflects a shift toward self-identification and the formalization of political and ethnic identity.

• From Lolo to Yi: The term "Lolo" was historically used to refer to various groups within the Lolo-Burmese branch of Tibeto-Burman languages. In China, the group formerly known as North Loloish is now officially referred to as Yi, a change that aligns with the group's own nomenclature and the classification used by Chinese scholars.1

• From Lushai to Mizo: The term "Lushai" was often mistakenly applied to the entire Mizo community, despite being only one of several prominent clans. The region, formerly known as the Lushai Hills District, was renamed the Mizo Hills District in 1954 to better reflect the broader identity of the people, who use the term "Mizo" (meaning "highlanders") to describe themselves. This transition was further solidified when the area became the state of Mizoram in 1987, following a period of political unrest and the eventual signing of the Mizoram Peace Accord.23