GI No. 582 – TAWLHLOHPUAN

Tawlhlohpuan had the most cultural significance among the Mizo Puan. Tawlhloh in Mizo language means ‘to stand firm or not to move backward’. It was worn only by a very courageous warrior among the Mizo men as a symbol for their bravery. Before going out to fight in a war, Tawlhlohpuan was draped on the warriors in the Kawrtawnghak style of draping.

Mizo men wearing this Puan were expected to stand on their ground and never to retreat during the fight. It was also said that this Puan could not be woven by all common people in Mizo society and that the process of weaving usually requires a lot of time as compared to other puan. Thus, this Puan cannot be possessed by all household of the society and are therefore referred to as ‘Tawlhlohpuan’.

In one Mizo folktale, a great warrior named Darhnawka from Hualngo village urged his wife to weave a special cloth for him so as to portray his bravery towards enemies and wild animals whenever the cloth was worn by him. This cloth was named Tawlhlohpuan as it depicted the bravery of the warrior Darhnawka.