Aimol (Ethnologue ISO 639-3: aim)

Aimol is one of the recognised tribes of Manipur (recognised on 29th October, 1956 via notification no. 2477, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India). As per the Census of India 2001, the Aimol tribe has a total population of 2,643 and is considered to be a critically endangered language by UNESCO. The Aimols are mainly found in Chandel, Churachandpur, and Senapati districts of Manipur. They inhabit 15 villages (11 in Chandel district, 2 in Churachandpur district and 2 in Senapati district).

According to a myth, there once lived a man named Khoi Chung Tepa. One night in his dream he saw a meiwar “a fire like lightening” growing like a plant in the centre of his courtyard. He uprooted the fire plant and planted it in another place. He cared for and nourished the plant by pouring jutui “wine” on it. The plant grew to become doi-ai “a magic power”. Thus, Khoi chung tepa possessed this doi-ai and he used it to cure different kinds of sicknesses in the locality. He was also able to predict the future. Many people of the area came with their problems and the locality became very popular. As a result, the place came to be known as muolhui “comfortable place”. The term Aimol is thus derived from the combination of two words—doi-ai "magic power" and muolhui "comfortable place".

The Language

Aimol is one of the Tibeto-Burman languages spoken in Manipur. It shares close affinities with other Kuki-Chin languages like Hmar, Hrangkawl, Simte, Sukte, Malsom, Darlong, Lushai, Thadou-Kuki, Kom, Koireng, Purum, Chothe, Chiru and Kharam. Aimols use Manipuri or Meiteilon for communication with other tribes.

Religion and Occupation

The Aimols followed animism until the early part of the 20th century and believed in many deities and spirits. As part of the worshipping of these deities and spirits, they celebrated six important festivals. However, with the advent of Christianity in the 1920s, all 15 Aimol villages today are converted to Christianity and these festivals are no longer observed.

The main occupation of the Aimols is agriculture. They also engage in the domestication of cows, buffaloes, oxen, pigs, dogs, ducks, hens, etc. Rice is their staple food. Cultivation of paddy is carried out by both sexes while weaving and livestock rearing is another source of income for Aimol families.