Promoting culture in collaboration with other communities: Aimol Custom and Culture Development Organization (ACACDO) – Manipur

Manipur tribe turns to music to preserve culture | Read the full report here >>

IMPHAL: Aimol, a Scheduled Tribe community in Manipur with a small population, is on the warpath to preserve and promote its culture, tradition, costume and ethnic social traditions, which are dying slowly.

Members of the community celebrated the first anniversary of the Aimol Custom and Culture Development Organization (ACACDO) at Aimol Ngairong village in Chandel district, about 60km from Imphal.

A cultural dance programme involving members of various communities was organized on Friday. […]

ACACDO president Athoi Bongte Aimol, “With the primary objective to preserve and promote our culture, we have set up the organization and are trying to develop it gradually,” Athoi said.

Source: Manipur tribe turns to music to preserve culture, October 13, 2013
URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Manipur-tribe-turns-to-music-to-preserve-culture/articleshow/24060212.cms
Date visited: 27-10-19

The Aimol society exhibits a patriarchal and patronymic feature of society.

Linguistically the Aimols are characterized by dual variation: Sutpong and Khurai. Furthermore, the tribe is divided into 5 main clans, which are further sub-divided into sub-clans. The clans are: 1. Chongom (with 3 sub- clans) 2. Laita (3 sub-clans) 3. Lanu (4 sub-clans) 4. Chaithu (no sub-clan) and 5. Shongthu (2 sub-clans). Though not restricted, Aimol villages are often clan-based. As such, Unapal, Satu, Kha-Aimol and Sibong-Khudengthabi are Chongom villages, Kumbirei, a Chaithu village, and Tampak, a Lanu village.

The Aimol clans possess totems of their own, which are associated with their ancestry. Of the clans mentioned above – Chongom, Chaithu and Lanu belong to Sutpong dialect group.

Source: Chapter 3.5. “Social System” in “Differential fertility of the aimols of Manipur”; PhD thesis by Alangbam, Taruni Devi: AN OVERVIEW OF THE LAND AND THE AIMOL PEOPLE, Manipur University, Department of Anthropology, 2013
URL: https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/39987/10/10_chapter%203.pdf
Date visited: 29 November 2019

Endangered languages of Manipur (7):
Aimol, Aka, Koiren, Lamgang, Langrong, Purum and Tarao

Source: International Mother Language Day: 42 Indian languages heading towards extinction, India Today, 21 February 2018
URL: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/international-mother-language-day-42-indian-languages-heading-towards-extinction-1174384-2018-02-21
Date visited: 29-11-19

Tribal culture in Manipur

Shaheed Minar
The indomitable spirit of the patriotic Meitei and tribal martyrs, who sacrificed their lives while fighting the British in 1891, is commemorated by this tall Minar at Bir Tikendrajit Park in the heart of Imphal city.

Manipur State Museum
This interesting Museum near the Polo Ground has a fairly good collection and display of Manipur’s tribal heritage and a collection of portraits of Manipur’s former rulers. Particularly interesting items are costumes, arms & ammunitions, relics and historical documents.

Churachandpur
It is on the Tiddim Road, 60 kms. from Imphal and is one of the most beautiful places for sightseeing and holidaying. It is a bustling tribal town and district headquarter where products of arts and crafts of the area are available in the local market. Kuki-Chin-Mizo are the dominant tribes.

Ukhrul
Ukhrul, the highest hill station of the state is located at a distance of 83 kms. to the east of Imphal. Ukhrul is well developed and is a centre of a colourful warrior tribe, the Tangkhul Nagas. Siroi Hills and Khangkhui Lime Caves are interesting places for excursions. Siroi Hills: Ukhrul is also known for a peculiar type of land-lily, the Siroi Lily, grows on the Siroi hills at a height of 8,500 ft. This beautiful lily growing only in this part of world blooms during May-June. Tangkhul is one of the oldest and major tribes of Manipur.

Tamenglong
Deep gorges, mysterious caves, splendid waterfalls and exotic orchids are what you will find in this district headquarters of Tamenglong District. The Tharon cave, Buning meadow, Zilad lakes, Barak Waterfalls are some of the places of tourist interest. Rongmei, Lengmei, Zemei Nagas are dominant tribes of Tamenglong. This beautiful place is located at a distance of 156 kms. from Imphal.

Source: Places to see
URL: https://manipurtourism.gov.in/places-to-see/
Date visited: 27-10-19