The Aienla Project is a 501 c(3) non-profit dedicated to the preservation of tribal cultures of northeast India and Myanmar (formerly Burma). The project is devoted to the principle that much can be learned from traditional tribal cultures and that the artistic creations, languages, and customs of the people should be documented and preserved for the sake of knowledge for future generations.
One of the primary objectives of the Aienla Project is to develop and maintain a virtual museum, giving the world access to an immense ethnographic collection representing the region. The online museum exhibit is comprised of vibrant images of present day tribal life, monumental black and white photographic works from the 1940s, jewelry, heirlooms, weapons, textiles, and other types of material culture, many of which have been generously donated to the Aienla Project by the tribal people themselves. Go to Virtual Museum
Since its beginnings, the Aienla Project has conducted various cultural and linguistic research programs in the region, which in the past have included photographic documentary of ceremonial attire, recording of village languages and dialects, sketching tattoo variances across tribes, interviewing tribal elders about inter-village relations, and photographic inventory of material culture. Racing against time to gather knowledge before it is lost over the generations, these research programs are the foundation stones for cultural preservation. Research programs typically are conducted in the northeastern Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh (NEFA), Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and various states in Myanmar. Previouly studied tribes include the Adi, Angami, Ao, Apatani, Chakesang, Chang, Garo, Hashi, Heimi, Khampti, Khasi, Konyak, Lainong, Lhota, Makuri, Mara, Hill Miri, Plains Miri, Mishmi, Mizo, Monpa, Nyshi, Pami, Ponyo, Rengma, Rongmei, Sema, Singpho, Tagin, Tangkhul, Tsaplo, Yimchunger, Zemi.
In an ever-changing environment that is becoming more globalized, it is important for students today to be both prepared for the diverse world that lies ahead as well as understand the cultures and traditions of the past. The Aienla Project is a free resource that is available to helping today’s teachers and college professors expose students to different cultures and ways of life. Through its presentations, the project introduces students to the tribal indigenous peoples of northeast India and Myanmar, bridging the gap between cultures and societies across the world and enhancing multiculturalism. Aienla Project presentations consist of slideshows depicting the lifestyles and customs of the tribal people, followed by a display of material culture from the region such as textiles, tools, necklaces, and ornaments. Presentations can be geared to the special interests or curriculum needs of K-12 and college level classes.
The Aienla Project directly purchases equipment for public schools in northeast India and school supplies for students who come from poor backgrounds where the family is unable to pay for expenses associated with primary education. On occasion, funding is also given to youngsters who are unable to follow traditional academic routes, but wish to obtain technical training or trade skills to better the economic situation for themselves, their family, and village.