the blacksmith as Thiksek-sa. Suok (slaves) Chroniclers like John Shakespeare were the first to highlight the existence of slavery in CHIKIM society. In his work The Lushai Kuki Clans (1912), he put forth a detailed view on tribal slavery. On the whole, slavery among the tribals vastly differs from that of the West or New World. Tribal slavery is not under duress, it's almost voluntary. Close observation gives the impression that in most cases, slavery seemed the only option for survival. Among the Gangtes three variants of slavery were practiced: Inpi Suok: This refers to the first type of slave under the chief who is the only one accredited to own slaves. Inpi Suok are mostly orphans, the incapacitated who cannot look after themselves and the poor in abject misery. The Inpi Suok are conventionally treated as members of the Chief's family but they must work and toil harder than genuine members. The chief, being their guardian, is fully responsible for the welfare and security of the Inpi Suok. Chemsan Suok: Rough translation would be ‘slaves due to stained sword’. Chemsan Suok, the second kind of slave in the Chief's house, is a murderer, accidental or premeditated, and criminal who commit grave lapses that merit revenge as per the contemporary psyche. For such offenders, slavery is salvation. Once they give in to the chief, they are saved and it is against the law to harm them. Harming them would be tantamount to making a mockery of the Chief's chair and the penalty would also be grave. Chemsan Suok also includes insolvents who cannot repay their debts. Chemsan Souk differs from Inpi Suok. The former do not share habitat with the chief, they are slaves by agreement with the condition that the chief is entitled to the dowry of any Chemsan Suok's daughter. L.B. Thanga (the Mizos, 1979) says that till 1928, Chemsan Suok can buy freedom by compensating the Chief, his master, with a mithun or forty rupees in cash. Tuklut Suok: Tuklut Suok are slaves as a consequence of village wars and they usually belong to the losing side in the battle. For safety, the losing party give themselves to the victorious one and hence, the label Tuklut, meaning ‘give in’. Tuklut Suok can build a shelter in the victorious village as and when they can hand over a healthy mithun to the Chief and if the Tuklut Suok