In partnership with
Fuel your business brain. No caffeine needed.
Consider this your wake-up call.
Morning Brew}} is the free daily newsletter that powers you up with business news you’ll actually enjoy reading. It’s already trusted by over 4 million people who like their news with a bit more personality, pizazz — and a few games thrown in. Some even come for the crosswords and quizzes, but leave knowing more about the business world than they expected.
Quick, witty, and delivered first thing in the morning, Morning Brew takes less time to read than brewing your coffee — and gives your business brain the boost it needs to stay sharp and in the know.
Read time: 3.5 mins
Hi Anirban here. In this newsletter, I help foreigners discover the untold India. Two issues a week, straight to your inbox.
Know the place
Today, we’re talking about Mim Kut(festival of Mim/grains), one of the oldest Mizo/Zo harvest festivals.
It is traditionally a Mizo/Zo festival, so it happens around the rural and small-town Mizoram, especially villages around Aizawl and other hill districts.
Easiest route
Easiest Route + Approximate Cost
Step 1: Fly into India, then to Aizawl (Mizoram)
From an international airport to a major Indian gateway (e.g. Delhi, Kolkata, or Guwahati).
From there, take a domestic flight to Aizawl. The airport is Lengpui Airport (AJL).
Typical domestic flight cost (economy):
One-way DEL → AJL: ~ ₹ 6,300 ≈ US $ 75–80
Round-trip DEL → AJL: ~ ₹ 12,200 ≈ US $ 145–150
If you are coming from a different major Indian city (e.g. Kolkata), flights may cost slightly more or less depending on availability and season.
Step 2: From Aizawl to the cultural/village areas for Mim Kut
Travel by local transport or hired vehicle from Aizawl to nearby villages or cultural-region centres (such as those around hills or traditional homestays).
Local transport or shared vehicles in Mizoram are generally modestly priced in INR. You can think of a small additional amount (say, US $ 10–25).
Where would you stay?
You should stay in Aizawl first, as it serves as your base before entering the hill regions.
After settling in the city, you should move into smaller villages near Aizawl, where Mim Kut is observed within homes and communities. These villages give the most authentic environment to witness rituals, offerings and the atmosphere of remembrance.
Suitable places to stay include Reiek side villages, Hmuifang surroundings, Serchhip region and Lunglei area for those who wish to explore further. Pick a village homestay that is connected to local families so you stay close to the festival.
Don’t miss these foods
Bamboo shoot dishes (Bai): Fermented bamboo shoots slow-cooked in light curries or stews with pork, fish, or vegetables. The taste is slightly sour and very savoury. It is often one of the main highlights of Mim Kut feasts.
Maize-based staples: Fresh corn from the harvest is enjoyed boiled, roasted, or made into flatbreads and porridge. The flavour is mild and naturally sweet. Maize is important to the festival because it represents the harvest season.
Rice with fermented fish or soybean paste: Sticky rice is served with a strong fermented fish paste or soybean chutney, similar to axone in flavour. It has a bold and rich taste that reflects the heart of Mizo home cooking.
Smoked meats and fish: Pork and fish are smoked over wood fires, then eaten grilled or cooked in simple curries with ginger, chillies and king chilli. The meat becomes soft and easy to chew with a smoky taste.
Safety
Respect cultural traditions
Ask locals before taking photos or recording rituals.
Do not interrupt ceremonies, ancestor offerings or prayers.
If invited to join a ritual or meal, follow instructions politely.
Dress modestly, especially during cultural or ancestral remembrance parts.
Personal safety and environment
Stay in groups if you are new to the area.
Keep your phone charged and carry the emergency contact information of locals.
Avoid wandering into forested areas alone.
Use insect repellent if events take place outdoors.
Travel and stay
Book accommodation early since festivals attract crowds.
Check road conditions if travelling by road in hilly regions.
Keep cash along with digital payment options, as the network is unstable in remote areas.
Follow local timings because many activities are scheduled around rituals.
Food and hygiene
If you have dietary restrictions, inform hosts beforehand.
Drink clean water, carry your own bottle if required.
Try traditional foods, but be careful of any allergies.
Community harmony
Be kind and respectful in conversations.
Do not make insensitive comments about beliefs or rituals.
Participate with an open mind and learn from the culture.
Cultural insights
Mim Kut is more than a harvest festival. It gives a window into the old Mizo or Zo belief system before Christianity arrived. In this worldview, life, death, and farming are linked closely. Ancestors are treated as family members who still take part in daily life.
Ancestors at the heart of the festival
People believe that during Mim Kut, the spirits of loved ones who passed away return home. Families prepare offerings from the first harvest, such as maize, rice beer called zu, vegetables and sometimes clothes or jewellery. These are placed on graves or on small raised platforms called tuium hum hmun to welcome the spirits with love and respect.
A ritual called Thlai Chhiah involves placing a bundle of food or crops as a sign that the ancestors are invited to join the feast. This builds a connection between the living and the dead and prevents misfortune caused by forgotten spirits.
Another ceremony known as Inthen is done to send the souls peacefully to Pialral, which is understood as the spiritual home of the dead. It brings both mourning and emotional release.
A gentle and reflective celebration
The first day of Mim Kut focuses on prayers, offerings and remembering the dead. People avoid loud celebrations. They do not work, argue or hold big parties. Instead, they sing traditional songs of sorrow, sit together, clean graves and share food. It becomes a time for families and neighbours to feel grief together rather than alone.
Even today, these moments of sharing help protect Mizo identity. Although Christianity changed many practices, the festival still carries old values at its core.
Agriculture, history, and meaning
The word Mim refers to maize or Job's tears. This crop is considered special and is strongly connected to ancient farming traditions. It also carries stories from migration and jhum cultivation, stretching back to the old Chindwin Valley. Eating fresh maize during Mim Kut is a way to show gratitude for food and for the land.
In modern times, Mim Kut serves as a cultural marker. It strengthens unity among scattered communities and attracts travellers who want to learn about Mizo traditions. People sometimes call it the festival of the dead, but its spirit is gentle and deeply human. It is less about spectacle and more about memory, love and connection.
For visitors, the best way to understand Mim Kut is to stay in a village, watch the offerings being made, listen to slow folk songs and join simple meals. Through these quiet moments, foreigners can feel how the Mizo people honour their ancestors while facing life with dignity and resilience.
Itineary
Step 1: Arrival in India
You can fly into one of these major airports first for smooth international entry and connections:
• Delhi International Airport (DEL)
• Kolkata International Airport (CCU)
• Guwahati International Airport (GAU)
From here, you can book a domestic flight to Mizoram.
Step 2: Fly to Aizawl, Mizoram
Your entry point into Mizoram will be:
Lengpui Airport, Aizawl (AJL)
Once you arrive, spend some time exploring Aizawl and getting familiar with the atmosphere and culture. You can walk through markets, visit viewpoints and experience the city at your own pace.
Step 3: Travel to a Mim Kut celebrating region
To experience Mim Kut closely, visit places where traditions are still alive. You can choose among:
• Reiek
• Hmuifang side villages
• Serchhip region
• Lunglei for deeper cultural exposure
These places are known for cultural activities, folk traditions and festival atmosphere during Mim Kut.
4-night travel plan
Day 1: Reach Aizawl
Walk around, explore the local environment, visit viewpoints and small cultural spots.
Day 2: Move towards the chosen region
Travel out of Aizawl into a cultural setting. Interact with locals and learn about the meaning of Mim Kut.
Day 3: Mim Kut experience
Observe grave offerings, rituals and ceremonies. Learn the significance of ancestor remembrance and festival history. Watch or listen to folk songs and stories shared by locals.
Day 4: Reflection and cultural learning
This day is calm and respectful in nature. You can observe grave cleaning, traditional songs, and cultural practices that focus on remembrance and togetherness. Explore nearby nature and jhum fields.
Day 5: Return to Aizawl
Visit museums, shop handicrafts, and end your journey with cultural memories before flying out.
Budget
1. International return flight
From your country to India: 950 to 1,400 USD
2. Domestic return flight to Mizoram
India to Aizawl (Lengpui Airport): 145 to 180 USD
3. Comfortable stay for 6 to 7 nights
Mid-range hotel or village homestay: 180 to 300 USD
4. Food for the entire trip
Daily 15 to 25 USD for 6 days: 90 to 150 USD
5. Local transport in Mizoram
Shared car or private vehicle for village visits: 20 to 60 USD
6. Extra costs
Souvenirs, local guide, cultural spots: 60 to 120 USD
Total estimated cost for your trip
2,400 to 2,900 USD
Mizoram is beautiful because of its green hills, soft clouds, and pretty views all around.
The villages sit high on the mountains, and life there moves with ease. People welcome you with smiles, and you get to see culture, songs, and traditions that make the place special.
See you in the next edition. Ka lawm e.