Mizo calendar

{{Short description|Traditional calendar of the Mizo people}}

The Mizo calendar is a traditional lunisolar calendar utilized by the Mizo people of northeast India.

This calendar comprises 12 months, each closely associated with the cultural, agricultural, and spiritual practices of the Mizo people.{{Cite web| url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327745581_Mizo_Indigenous_Calendar_A_Source_of_Mizo_Indigenous_Knowledge_and_Identity| title = Mizo Indigenous Calendar: A Source of Mizo Indigenous Knowledge and Identity| last = Lalmalsawmzauva| first = K.C.| date = February 2016| website = researchgate.net| access-date = 24 December 2024| quote = There were 12 months in the Mizo Indigenous calendar, which were chiefly associated with agriculture practice system; their knowledge on weather, climate and surrounding environments has been clearly revealed.}}

Traditionally, the Mizo people observed the moon's phases. They counted approximately 14 days from the moon's first appearance in the sky to its full moon phase. Similarly, they believed it took another 14 days for the moon to fade completely after the full moon stage. The 15th night, when the moon neither fully waxed nor waned, was considered unique and not part of either phase. Based on these calculations, each lunar month was determined to be 29 days long.{{Cite book |last=Dokhuma |first=James |date=2004 |title=Tawng Un Hrilfiahna |publisher=R. Lalrawna |language=lus}}