According to legends, like other Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes the Biates were the descendents of Manmasi whose progeny were Riama and Vaia. Riama (ancestor of the Biate tribe) descended by Kuangpuia and Vaia who was descended by Khuangzang, Khuangsai, Chilzang, and Lamzang (Lamkang). Kuangpuia had a son named Ralkhana whose wife Kolsingi gave birth to five children namely Beia, Thianga, Laia, Ngola and Thiaia They are believed to have originated from a place called Khurpui or great cave. The ancient home of the Biates is also known as Sinlung (Sinlung means the core of Sin or cave close with stone) supposedly believed to be the Qin dynasty ruled by Qin Shi Huang. The conjecture of Sinlung as the origin of the Biate tribe is strongly supported by a folk song which tells us the glory of Sinlung.
"Ken siangna Sinlung ram mingthang,
Kinu ram kipa ram ngai;
Chongzil ang koi kir thei chang se,
Kinu ram kipa ram ngai.”
"My genesis famous land of Sinlung,
Land of my mother and father;
Could it be called back like Chongzil,
Land of my mother and father.”
The word Chongzil in fact, seems to be a mispronunciation of Changzhi, which is situated in the province of Shanxi, in Central China. Chongzil is the place where the Biate ancestors began their historical migration. Tracing back through the stories that have been passed down orally through the generations the Biate tribe with its cognate clans is believed to have started their migration from China in the year between 206 B. C. to 202 B. C. a gap between the fall of Shi Huang kingdom and before the emergence of the Hun dynasty in China. Their migration according to L. H. Songate, was due to acute oppression and maltreatment in the construction of that great wall or fortress by a cruel king Shi-Huang. At the same time many of them lost their lives.[6] The tribes then proceeded towards south met stiff resistance when they began to settle in the bordering area of Burma and China. They finally waged a war against ‘Zainghong’ and won a triumphant victory. This victory has been immortalised in a song which runs as,
“Ki pa lam tlâk atha’n dang,
Sinlung lam tlak atha’n dang;
Shan khua thaphoi in vang,
Tuaichongi ranlu a thluna;
Thloimu siaka ken ane ril,
Zainghonga ranlu bah kan sal.”
“My father’s position was extremely good,
Sinlung’s position was extremely good;
We showed our prime life in Shan,
Tuaichongi brought the head of enemies;
As foretold by the eagle’s claws,
At Zainghong we showed our ability to our foes."
The word Zainghong seems to be a corrupted word of Jinghong which is situated in the province of Yunnan. They are also believed to have settled in the area of Mengban, Lancang, Menglian and Menghai for some time in the bygone days. The tribe flourished and was mark by a period of prosperous condition and life of ease. They learned and improved their art of war and began to observe and celebrate religious festivals. The tribe were now much more advanced than they were in Sinlung.[3] C. A. Soppitt has accounted that the tribe had already reached Burma previous to the introduction of Buddhist doctrines, that is to say, in the 8th or 10th century.[4] However, opinion varies among writers. According to P.M.Gangte the Mizo tribes (Old Kuki) has already occupied the present Chin Hills before the end of the 8th century A.D.[7] While the tribes settled in Shan (Burma), Zamadian (Zamadiai according to Songate, L. H.) was the Biate (Reng) monarch of all the Khawthlang tribes.[6] The Khawthlang or Thlangfa tribes (Westerner) as considered by J. Shakespeare, were the Old Kukis, the Biate (Beteh), Hrangkhol (Hrangchul) and other cognate clans.[8] Zamadian introduced almost all the customary laws of the Biate tribe and except for a few, most of them are still in use. Traditions tell us that Zamadiana had a written script 'Savunziak' of Kung-fu-tzu or Confucius. This script however was lost after his demise when a dog carried it away.[1][9] He is believed to be the first to introduce ‘Zolbûk’ among his people. Zolbûk is a kind of dormitory or club, where young people use to learn different kind of art in it.[10] Folk song tells of the migration of the Biate tribe from Shan to Kachin state, Sagaing, and Chin state and to Mizoram, India.
Mizo Historian K. Zawla, mentioned that the Biate were the first to set their foot on the soil of Mizoram.[11] They also claim the hills round Champhai as their places of origin, and the sites are still known by their names.[8] In the early days of their settlement in Mizoram, the Khawthlang tribes were ruled by the Biate king Vannuailala, son of Tengtonga Khoreng, who gave himself the title of ‘Chonpuimang’ (Chonmang in the account of Songate, L.H.). The Biates by spreading to all sides of the corner of Mizoram settled for nearly a thousand years, numerous hills and mountain, rivers, lakes, and places of Mizoram were named by the Biates, being a forerunner of the land. While they were settling in and around Invol (believed to be present day Lunglei district) they were invaded by the king of Ava (1364–1555), a new kingdom founded by king Thadominbya after the Mongols left the Irrawaddy valley, Burma.[12] During the invasion, one of the Biate clan the Ralvong Thiaite was hiding in a Ralvawng cave. These particular clans including the Ngamlai clans of Troi (present day Tawipui, Mizoram) who faced the brunt of the Ava invasion still tells of the account today.
"Ava ten khua hong fanga,
Kua Invol laia;
Aimo zola an ril,
Khua Invol laia."
"Ava had invaded us,
The time we were in Invol;
They tell in the valley of Aimo,
While we were in Invol."
