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Aimol Documentation
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The people
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Aimol is one of the recognized tribe of Manipur (29th October, 1956 vide notification
no. 2477, under Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India). The total population
of Aimol is 2,643 (As reported by the researchers) and is considered to be a critically endangered
language by UNESCO. The Aimols are found in Chandel, Churachandpur, and Senapati
districts of Manipur inhabiting 15 villages (11 in Chandel district, 2 in Churachandpur
and 2 in Senapati district).
According to myth, there once lived a man named Khoichungtepa. 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 and nourished the plant by pouring jutui “wine”. The plant
grew to become doi-ai “a magic power”. The man 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 come with their problems and
the locality became very popular. As a result, the place came to be known as muolhui
“comfortable place”. So the term Aimol is derived from the two words of doi-ai
“magic power” and muolhui “comfortable place”.
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The Language
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Aimol is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Manipur. The language has close affinities
with other Kuki-Chin languages like Hmar, Hrangkawl, Simte, Sukte, Malsom, Darlong,
Lushai, Thadou-Kuki, Kom, Koireng, Purum, Chothe, Chiru and Kharam. Manipuri or
Meiteilon is used for communication with other tribes.
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Religion and Occupation
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The Aimols followed animism till the early part of the 20th century and believed in many deities and spirits. As part of the worshipping of these deities and spirits, there are 6 important festivals. However, with the advent of Christianity in the 1920s, all the 15 Aimol villages today follow Christianity and these festivals are no longer observed.
The main occupation is agriculture and other activities include domestication of cow, buffalo, ox, pig, dog, duck, hen, etc. Rice is their staple food. Cultivation of paddy is carried out by both sexes. Weaving and livestock rearing is another source of income for the Aimol family.
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The present work
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The present project aims to provide a brief phonological and morphological description of Aimol, resulting in a bilingual Aimol-English dictionary.
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