Silchar: The Mizoram Science Centre hosted the release of History of Astronomy of the Mizo People, a volume that researchers described as a rare and important effort to document the region’s indigenous sky-watching traditions on December 8.

The book grew out of an astronomy workshop held in May 2023 and brings together contributions from scholars who have studied how Mizo communities interpreted stars, seasons, and celestial events.

Prof Himadri Sekhar Das of the Physics Department at Assam University, Silchar, is among the contributors. He was one of the invited speakers at the 2023 workshop and later joined the team of writers who developed the manuscript.

His chapter adds scientific context to traditional Mizo observations and highlights their relevance in understanding how different cultures have engaged with the night sky.

Edited by Dr Lalrinkimi, Dr Lalthakimi Zadeng, and Dr Martin George, the book is one of the first focused academic compilations on Mizo astronomy. It brings together star lore, traditional timekeeping, and cosmological beliefs preserved through oral narratives.

Senior government official Pu Vanlaldina Fanai attended the release programme, along with academics, researchers, and cultural practitioners. Speakers stressed that indigenous knowledge systems often fade without proper documentation and that this volume helps safeguard a body of wisdom that has shaped community life for generations.