Aiton (Tai Aiton) in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The ancestors of the Aiton originated in northern Myanmar, where they lived for centuries along with other Tai-speaking groups. 'In the latter part of the eighteenth century, the Aiton entered Assam as political refugees from the Shan State in Burma…. They speak the Aiton language among themselves and Assamese, Hindi and English with others.
The Aiton ethnic group inhabits villages in the Jorhat and Karbi-Aleng districts of Assam State in north-east India. The Indian government does not recognize the Aiton at all, so reliable information about them is scarce. The linguist Anthony Diller in 1990 estimated that there were 'several thousand speakers and semi-speakers' of Aiton.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Aiton language is part of the Northwest branch of the Southwestern Tai family. It is one of nine different languages that share this affiliation, including Ahom, Khamti, Tai Phake and Khamiyang, all of which are spoken by other ethnic groups in this part of India. Aiton is believed to be similar to the Shan language spoken in Myanmar, China and Thailand, but after more than two centuries of separation from their homeland, the Aiton language, culture and identity have gradually been assimilated.
Elders among the Aiton are responsible for handing the oral traditions, folk tales and songs about their origin and migration down to the next generation. Their songs tell of oppression in their original homeland, which led to their long and difficult journey across the mountains into India.
Until the past decade all Aiton were farmers, fishermen and hunters, but in recent years an increasing number of people have become businessmen, teachers and labourers in the nearby townships in both the government and private sectors.
Despite their small population, there are 14 different clans among the Aiton. These days the people use their respective clan names as their surnames. The strict marriage customs of the Aiton mean that a young man must marry his maternal uncle's daughter. A bride price is required, whereby the family of the groom must pay an agreed-upon amount of cash and goods to the family of the bride. In part this is an expression of gratitude to the bride's family for their years of expense in raising her. Buddhist monks are called upon to officiate at the wedding ceremony, which is held at the bride's house. After giving birth an Aiton woman must not interact with other members of the community for a full month, as she is considered polluted. After the month has passed a ritual is performed and the new mother is free to return to society.


They are Theravada Buddhists and also worship Medham Medhphi, their deity, every morning and evening.
What Are Their Beliefs?

All Aiton are followers of Theravada Buddhism, which they brought with them when they migrated into India more than 200 years ago. They also worship Medham Medhphi, their deity, every morning and evening. The vyas-chow chanq, the diviner, is called for treatment of the indisposed. God has not forgotten them and desires that they may know him as Lord and Savior.


What Are Their Needs?

These people need to put their hope and identity in the King of kings and Lord of lords.


Prayer Points

Pray for workers to go to the Aiton people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their Savior.
Pray for families of believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.
Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.


Scripture Prayers for the Aiton (Tai Aiton) in India.


References

Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Aiton (Tai Aiton)
People Name in Country Aiton (Tai Aiton)
Pronunciation EYE-ton
Alternate Names Aitonia; आइटों
Population this Country 3,700
Population all Countries 3,700
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16191
ROP3 Code 111299
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country The Aiton ethnic group inhabits villages in the Jorhat and Karbi-Aleng districts of Assam State in north-east India.   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country The Aiton ethnic group inhabits villages in the Jorhat and Karbi-Aleng districts of Assam State in north-east India..   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Total States 1
  Assam 3,700
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
58.07 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
34.86 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
7.06 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Aiton (3,700 speakers)
Language Code aio   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Aiton (3,700 speakers)
Language Code aio   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Aiton

Primary Language:  Aiton

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Baby Devi 26 - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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