Uyghurs
Turkic ethnic group native to the Xinjiang region of China.
The Uyghurs are a Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with Central Asia and East Asia. They speak Uyghur, a Karluk language sharing the same origin with Uzbek, and are recognized as the titular nationality of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Northwest China, one of China's 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities. Genetically related to West Eurasians, East Asians, Siberians, and South Asians, they trace ancestry to various peoples and cultures including the Tocharians, Uyghur Khanate, Qocho, Kara-Khanid Khanate, and Qara Khitai.
- language
- Uyghur (Karluk Turkic)
- region
- Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Northwest China
- population_status
- One of China's 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities
- religion
- Islam (majority since 16th century)
- historical_ethnonym_adopted
- 1921 (Tashkent conference)
Lore & Background
Prior to the 20th century, the Uyghurs did not have a common unifying ethnonym. The name 'Uyghur' was historically used to refer to the non-Muslim inhabitants of Qocho, mainly Buddhists, who resisted conversion to Islam until the 16th century. After that, the name fell out of use, and the region inhabited by modern Uyghurs came under Qing dynasty rule following the Dzungar–Qing Wars in the 18th century. Until 1921, inhabitants of the Tarim Basin identified themselves by terms such as 'yerlik' ('locals'), 'Musulman khalq' ('Muslim people'), or regional designations like Kashgarlik and Yarkandlik.
Reader's Guide
The Uyghurs' significance lies in their complex ethnogenesis and modern identity formation. Originally followers of many belief systems, inhabitants of the region were gradually converted to Islam after the 10th century, especially under the Chagatai Khanate, and by the 16th century most identified as Muslims. The modern ethnonym 'Uyghur' was revived in 1921 at a Soviet conference in Tashkent, where Turkic intellectuals from the Tarim Basin adopted it despite awareness of differences between modern and ancient Uyghurs. This usage was later accepted by Chinese governments, who used 'Uyghur' as an umbrella category for the people of the Tarim Basin. Since 2014, the Chinese government has been accused of subjecting Uyghurs to widespread persecution including arbitrary arrest, forced sterilization, and forced labor, accusations which the Chinese government denies. The Uyghur diaspora includes significant communities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey.
Did You Know?
- The name 'Uyghur' was historically used for non-Muslim Buddhists of Qocho who resisted conversion to Islam until the 16th century.
- The modern ethnonym 'Uyghur' was adopted in 1921 at a conference in Tashkent, Soviet Union.
- Uyghur is a Karluk language sharing the same origin with Uzbek.
- More Uyghurs live in the Tarim Basin than in northern Xinjiang.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Uyghurs?
The Uyghurs are a Turkic-speaking ethnic group whose cultural heritage spans Central and East Asia. They are one of China's 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities and serve as the titular people of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the country's northwest.
What language do the Uyghurs speak?
Uyghur is a Karluk-branch Turkic language, making it a close linguistic cousin of Uzbek. It is the everyday tongue of the Uyghur community and is used across daily life, literature, and education in their homeland.
Where do Uyghurs primarily live?
The Uyghur homeland is the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwestern China, where they are the titular nationality. Smaller diaspora communities can also be found across Central Asia and other parts of the world.
What religion do most Uyghurs practice?
The majority of Uyghurs identify as Muslim, a faith that became dominant in their community from the sixteenth century onward. This religious affiliation has deeply shaped their cultural traditions, cuisine, and social customs over the centuries.
When did the Uyghurs officially adopt their current name?
The ethnonym 'Uyghur' was formally adopted at a 1921 conference held in Tashkent. Before that, the group's ancestral line stretched back through several medieval polities, including the Uyghur Khanate, the Qocho state, and the Kara-Khanid Khanate.
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