The Zomi are an ethnic group who mainly inhabit the northwestern areas of Myanmar and the southeastern borders of India. The hill and terrain area between India and Burma has been a land of various hill tribes. Even though they speak different dialects and identify themselves as different tribes, the historical evidence reveals that they belong to the same racial group called “Mongoloid” race from central Asia. Nearly 5,000 Zomi people, an ethnic minority in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, have resettled in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sticky Rice
(20 servings)
Ingredients
- 10 cups of Glutinous rice grains
- 2 cups of peas
- Water
Directions
- Rinse the rice with water about two times.
- Soak them for at least 10 hours (preferably overnight).
- Drain the water from the bowl of soaked rice, and add toppings in whatever amount desired.
- Peas were used in this recipe, but beans (black, red, pinto) and vegetables such as corn can be used. Meats such as pork, beef, chicken, or other types can be used too, and no topping is also an option.
- When you are ready to cook, boil water in a steel pot (add in enough water to last the steaming process).
- Put a woven basket (a bamboo basket was used in this recipe) that is safe for food consumption on top of the steel pot.
- Pour the sticky rice into the woven basket and fully cover the top with a lid or a clean cloth.
- Steam for about an hour to an hour and a half until the rice is thoroughly cooked. *You can also use a steaming pot*
- When the rice is done, immediately transfer it from the woven basket to an aluminum container or a rice cooker to keep it warm. If it is not removed, the rice will stick to the woven basket, and it will be a pain to get it out.
- Serve the desired amount of rice on a plate, and sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds on top for garnish and taste. Enjoy with desired side dishes.
Fermented Tea Leaf Salad
(6 servings)
Ingredients
- Yuzana Pickled Tea (pre-packaged)
- 1.5 cups finely slivered cabbage
- 1 finely slivered tomato
- 1 lime, juices squeezed
Directions
- Add the thinly chop cabbage and tomatoes to a large bowl
- Toss the vegetables together with the packaged pickled tea leaves and fried nuts
- Add in the juice of one freshly squeezed lime
- Mix everything one more time, then transfer it to a plate to serve.
Stir-fry Yardlong Beans
(6 Servings)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- Five cups of yardlong beans, chopped inch-lengths
- Desired amount of onions garlic, and ginger
Directions
- To a pan, add oil to a pan.
- As the oil heats up, put in onions, garlic, and ginger.
- Stir those three items until fragrant.
- Add in the beans.
- Salt the dish to taste.
- Stir fry the beans until cooked to your liking.
Cultural Items
This is called a niik. Essentially it is a long tight skirt that women wear. It is a lot like a scarf that is just wrapped around the body. The one on the right is one that is more modernized and has beaded details. There are many different patterns of design but the colors usually are the same (red, green, black, and white). A lot of different ethnic groups in Tedim have these same colors or patterns but these are what is worn in the Zomi Community. The one on the right is the most traditional niik to the Zomi culture but you will now see a lot more people wearing the more colorful niiks.
The items above are called dial. They are scarves. These are the ones women wear with their skirts (niik) and top. When you are presented with a scarf by someone it is a sign of high respect and honor. The ones in the picture are thinner ones however there are also ones that are much wider and for men the scarfs are white. These are mainly designs that are specific to the Zomi community.
These are necklaces that are made from beads strung together on a string. There are many different styles and deigns of these necklaces. They can include the Zomi colors or other colors depending on what the person wants.
Mortar and pestle is often used to crush or grind nuts and spices