The beautiful state of Northeastern India, Manipur houses multitudes of tribes. Amongst them, the anthropologists give special attention to Aimol.
In the year 1956, they have carried on a research and also inferred that amongst the twenty-one scheduled tribes that resided there, Aimal was one of them. All these tribes shared common culture and ethno traditional practices. Aimol tribes inhabit in various places like Kha-Aimol near Loktak Lake, Aimol Khullen at Chandel District. In search of better opportunities and livelihood, quite a handful of Aimol tribes have settled down in other region like Mizoram and Tripura. Interestingly, the census report of the year 2001, have reflected the total population of Aimol population in the panorama of Indian territory. It is enumerated as 2,643.
An interesting myth is popular about the origin of this Aimol tribe. Aimol has a significant literal meaning. If one dissects the word Aimol, one gets `ai` which means crab; mol means mountain. As a whole the word Aimol represents `mountain of crabs`. Some enthusiasts, even claim, that they have migrated to the Manipur state from mountains, just like a mountain crab. Over the years, the eminent scholars have made certain observations regarding their origin also.
They have claimed that Aimol, together with other tribal communities have formed an individual group called. Kuki-Chins. According to them, The Aimols of Pallel area are close cousins of the Hrangkhols of Tripura. . In the famous essay, The Affinities of The Marings, Dr.H.Kamkhenthang, the Director of the Tribal Research Institute of the Government of Manipur, mentioned loads of things about Aimol and other tribes. He clearly determines the true status and history of the tribe, thus supporting the idea of all the other anthropologists and scholars about the origination of Aimol tribes.
Following the tradition of most of the tribes of the Indian subcontinent, Aimol tribes too have taken up agricultures as their key occupation. Paddy is the main agricultural product and all the Aimol farmers farm them in huge quantity. Apart from this, other products like sesame, maize, soyabean, pumpkin, gourd, ginger, tomato, chilly and groundnut are also popular and are largely transmitted to other provinces of India. Aimol tribes also love animals and also nourish them with great care and affection. They domesticate animals like mithun or water buffalo, pig, ox and chicken. Few Aimol tribes, nowadays, adapt to few modern trades and marketing professions, which prompted them to settle down in towns like Kakching and Pallel.
Almost all the Aimol tribes celebrate the festivals in great vivacity and color. Music, dance are integrated in theses festivals thereby exhibiting the richness of their cultural customs and practices. Language spoken is Aimol.
