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Kyrgyz
Кыргыздар

Chinghiz Aitmatov Kurmanjan Datka Jengishbek Nazaraliev Bubusara Beyshenalieva Almazbek Atambayev
Total population
approx. 4.5 million
Regions with significant populations
Kyrgyzstan	3,804,800
Uzbekistan	250,000
China	143,500
Russia	103,422
Tajikistan	60,000
Kazakhstan	23,274
Ukraine	1,128
Languages
Kyrgyz
Religion
Predominantly Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
other Turkic peoples

The Kyrgyz (also spelled Kirgiz, Kirghiz) are a Turkic people living primarily in Kyrgyzstan.

Etymology

There are several etymological theories on the ethnonym "Kyrgyz."

The word "Kyrgyz" is derived from the Turkic word "forty", with -Iz being an old plural suffix, referring to a collection of forty tribes.

Kyrgyz also means "imperishable", "inextinguishable", "immortal", "unconquerable" or "undefeatable", presumably referring to the epic hero Manas who, as legend has it, unified undefeated forty tribes against the Khitans. This version has an obvious popular appreciation. Historical evidence for many conflicts with other peoples also supports this theory. The Chinese transcription "Tse-gu" (Gekun, Jiankun) allows to restore the pronunciation of the ethnonym as Kirkut (Kirgut) and Kirkur (Kirgur). Both forms go back to the earliest variation Kirkün (Chinese Tszyan-kun) of the term "Kyrgyz" meaning "Field People", "Field Huns". The term Kirkün went through a notable evolution: Kirkün (Kirgün) = Kirkut (Kirgut) = Kirkur (Kirkor, Kirgur) = Kyrkyz (Kyrgyz). The evolution is traced well chronologically. The semantic connection between kün (gün) and gür is a chronologically consecutive development of the concept kün = "female progenitor" = her offsprings = "tribe" = "a people" at the last stage coincides with the gür = "people", like in the Khitan title Gurkhan. Application of affixes of plurality "t" – "r" – "z" in the ethnonym Kirkun shaded the initial sound, and then also the meaning, making its roots enigmatic. By the Mongol epoch, the initial meaning of the word Kirkun was already lost, evidenced by differing readings of the earlier reductions of the Uanshi. The change of ethnonym produced a new version of an origin, and the memory about their steppe motherland, recorded in Uanshi, survived only as a recollection of the initial birthplace of forty women. Subsequently, however, that recollection was also lost. Kir-kis means "leader of the people with boars totem". kis,kas,khiz,khuz, khi, khion (hunn) means boar.

In the 18th and 19th century European writers used the word "Kirghiz" (the early Anglicized form of the contemporary Russian "киргизы") to refer not only to the people we now know as Kyrgyz, but also to their more numerous northern relatives, the Kazakhs. When distinction had to be made, more specific terms were used: Kara-Kirghiz for the Kyrgyz proper, and Kaisaks for the Kazakhs.

The early Kyrgyz people, known as Yenisei Kyrgyz, first appear in written records in the Chinese annals of the Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian (compiled 109 BC to 91 BC), as Gekun or Jiankun (鬲昆 or 隔昆). They were described in Tang Dynasty texts as having "red hair and green eyes", while those with dark hair and eyes were said to be descendants of a Chinese general Li Ling.

The Middle Age Chinese composition "Tanghuiyao" of the 8–10th century transcribed the name "Kyrgyz" Tsze-gu (Kirgut), and their tamga was depicted as identical to the tamga of present day Kyrgyz tribes Azyk, Bugu, Cherik, Sary Bagysh and few others. According to recent historical findings, Kyrgyz history dates back to 201 BC. The Yenisei Kyrgyz lived in the upper Yenisey River valley, central Siberia. Yenisei Kyrgyzes in the Late Antique times were a part of the Tiele tribes. Later, in the Early Middle Age, Yenisei Kyrgyzes were under the rule of Göktürk Kaganate and Uigur Kaganate.

In 840 a revolt led by Yenisei Kyrgyzes brought down the Uigur Kaganate, and brought the Yenisei Kyrgyzes to a dominating position in the former Turkic Kaganate. With the rise to power, the center of the Kyrgyz Kaganate moved to Jeti-su, and brought about a spread south of the Kyrgyz people, to reach Tian Shan mountains and Xinjiang, bringing them into contact with the existing peoples of western China, especially Tibet.

By the 16th century the carriers of the ethnonym "Kirgiz" lived in South Siberia, Xinjiang, Tian Shan, Pamir-Alay, Middle Asia, Urals (among Bashkorts), in Kazakhstan. In the Tian Shan and Xinjiang area, the term "Kyrgyz" retained its unifying political designation, and became a general ethnonym for the Yenisei Kirgizes and aboriginal Turkic tribes that presently constitute the Kyrgyz population. Though it is obviously impossible to directly identify the Yenisei and Tien Shan Kyrgyzes, a trace of their ethnogenetical connections is apparent in archaeology, history, language and ethnography. A majority of modern researchers came to the conclusion that the ancestors of the southern Kyrgyz tribes had their origin in the most ancient tribal unions of Sakas and Usuns, Dinlins and Huns.

Also, there follow from the oldest notes about the Kyrgyz that the definite mention of Kyrgyz ethnonym originates from 6th century. There is certain probability that there was relation between Kyrgyz and Gegunese already in 2nd century BC, next, between Kyrgyz and Khakases since 6th century A.D., but there is quite missing a unique mention. The Kyrgyz as ethnic group are mentioned quite unambiguously in the time of Genghis Khan rule (1162–1227), when their name replaces the former name Khakas.

Genetic evidence

The descent of the Kyrgyz from the autochthonous Siberian population is confirmed by genetic studies. For instance, 63% of modern Kyrgyz men of Jumgal District share Haplogroup R1a1 (Y-DNA) with Ishkashimis (68%), Tajiks of Panjikent (64%, three times more than other Tajiks), Poles (57%), Pashtuns (51%), Ukrainians (50%), Russians (47%), Bartangis (40%), and even Icelanders (25%). Low diversity of Kyrgyz R1a1 indicates a founder effect within the historical period. Haplogroup R1a1 (Y-DNA) is often believed to be a marker of the Proto-Indo-European language speakers.

Another example of a Siberian haplogroup is N1b, found in the Pamir Kyrgyz of Tajikistan (29%). All the other populations with a considerable frequency of this haplogroup are found only in Russia.

Other groups of Kyrgyz show considerably lower haplogroup R frequencies and almost lack haplogroup N.

In a maternal mtDNA study, West Eurasian DNA ranges from 27% to 42.6% in the Kyrgyz.

Because of the processes of migration, conquest, intermarriage, and assimilation, many of the Kyrgyz peoples who now inhabit Central and Southwest Asia are of mixed origins, often stemming from fragments of many different tribes, though they speak closely related languages.

Religion

Kyrgyz are predominantly Sunni Muslims. Islam was first introduced by Arab traders who travelled along the Silk Road in the seventh and eighth century. In the 8th century, orthodox Islam reached the Fergana valley with the Uzbeks. However, in the tenth century Persian text Hudud al-'alam, the Kyrgyz was still described as a people who "venerate the Fire and burn the dead".

Atheism has some following in the northern regions under Russian communist influence. As of today, few cultural rituals of Shamanism are still practiced alongside with Islam particularly in Central Kyrgyzstan. During a July 2007 interview, Bermet Akayeva, the daughter of Askar Akayev, the former President of Kyrgyzstan, stated that Islam is increasingly taking root even in the northern portion which came under communist influence. She emphasized that many mosques have been built and that the Kyrgyz are increasingly devoting themselves to Islam."

Many ancient indigenous beliefs and practices, including shamanism and totemism, coexisted syncretically with Islam. Shamans, most of whom are women, still play a prominent role at funerals, memorials, and other ceremonies and rituals. This split between the northern and southern Kyrgyz in their religious adherence to Muslim practices can still be seen today. Likewise, the Sufi order of Islam has been one of the most active Muslim groups in Kyrgyzstan for over a century.

Kyrgyz in China

The Kyrgyz form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. There are more than 145,000 Kyrgyz in China. They are known in China as Kēěrkèzī zú (simplified Chinese: 柯尔克孜族; traditional Chinese: 柯爾克孜族).

In the 19th century, Russian settlers on traditional Kirghiz land drove a lot of the Kirghiz over the border to China, causing their population to increase in China.

The Kirghiz of Xinjiang revolted in the 1932 Kirghiz rebellion, and also participated in the Battle of Kashgar (1933), and the Battle of Kashgar (1934).

They are found mainly in the Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture in the southwestern part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a smaller remainder found in the neighboring Wushi (Uqturpan), Aksu, Shache (Yarkand), Yingisar, Taxkorgan and Pishan (Guma), and in Tekes, Zhaosu (Monggolkure), Emin (Dorbiljin), Bole (Bortala), Jinghev (Jing) and Gonliu in northern Xinjiang.

A peculiar group, also included under the "Kyrgyz nationality" by the PRC official classification, are the so-called "Fuyu Kyrgyz". It is a group of several hundred people whose forefathers were relocated to Manchuria in the 18th century, and who now live in Wujiazi Village in Fuyu County, Heilongjiang Province. Their language (the "Fuyü Gïrgïs dialect") is related to the Khakas language.

Certain segments of the Kyrgyz in China are followers of Tibetan Buddhism.

Notable Kyrgyz people

• Chinghiz Aitmatov – author
• Askar Akayev – politician, scientist, first President of Kyrgyzstan
• Kurmanbek Bakiyev – politician, second President of Kyrgyzstan
• Bubusara Beishenalieva – ballet dancer
• Kurmanjan Datka – politician, former stateswoman
• Nasirdin Isanov – politician, first Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan
• Abdylas Maldybaev – actor/musician
• Orzubek Nazarov – former World Boxing Association lightweight boxing champion
• Roza Otunbayeva – politician, third President of Kyrgyzstan
• Kasym Tynystanov – a prominent Kyrgyz scientist, politician and poet, first minister of education

See also

• Kyrgyz language
• History of Kyrgyzstan
• History of Kazakhstan
• Turkic languages
• Ethnic Violence in Southern Kyrgyzstan (2010)

Notes

1. 2009 Census preliminary results Template:Ru icon
2. Censuses 1970–1989 show 0.9 % Kyrgyz population share in Uzbekistan total, 2000 estimates were also 0.9 % (Ethnic Atlas of Uzbekistan), actually Uzbekistan population is 27,767,100 (2009), so 0.9 % is appr. 250,000
3. Ukrainian population census 2001: Distribution of population by nationality. Retrieved on 23 April 2009
4. Pulleyblank 1990, p.108.
5. Zuev, Yu.A., Horse Tamgas from Vassal Princedoms (Translation of Chinese composition "Tanghuyao" of 8–10th centuries), Kazakh SSR Academy of Sciences, Alma-Ata, 1960, p. 103 Template:Ru icon
6. Michell, John; Valikhanov, Chokan Chingisovich; Venyukov, Mikhail Ivanovich (1865). "The Russians in Central Asia: their occupation of the Kirghiz steppe and the line of the Syr-Daria : their political relations with Khiva, Bokhara, and Kokan : also descriptions of Chinese Turkestan and Dzungaria; by Capt. Valikhanof, M. Veniukof and . Translated by John Michell, Robert Michell" (Document). E. Stanford. pp. 271–273. {{cite document}}: Unknown parameter |url= ignored (help)
7. Vasily Bartold, Тянь-Шаньские киргизы в XVIII и XIX веках (The Tian Shan Kirghiz in the 18th and 19th centuries), Chapter VII in: Киргизы. Исторический очерк. (The Kyrgyz: an historical outline), in Collected Works of V, Bartold, Moscow, 1963, vol II, part 1, pp. 65–80 Template:Ru icon
8. Rachel Lung (2011). Interpreters in Early Imperial China. John Benjamins Publishing Company. p. 108. ISBN 9027224447. Retrieved February 2012 8. During the reign period of Kaiyuan of Xuanzong, Ge Jiayun, composed A Record of the Western Regions, in which he said "the people of the Jiankun state all have red hair and green eyes. The ones with dark eyes were descendants of Li Ling ...of Tiele tribe and called themselves Hegu. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
9. Abramzon S.M. The Kirgiz and their ethnogenetical historical and cultural connections, Moscow, 1971, p. 45
10. "U.S. State Dept". U.S. State Dept. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
11. Abramzon S.M., p. 31
12. Abramzon S.M., pp. 80–81
13. Abramzon S.M., p. 30
14. "The Kyrgyz – Children of Manas. Кыргыздар – Манастын балдары". Petr Kokaisl, Pavla Kokaislova (2009). p.132. ISBN 80-254-6365-6
15. The Eurasian Heartland
16. Figure 7c in http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC419996/pdf/AJHGv71p466.pdf
17. ^ http://hpgl.stanford.edu/publications/PNAS_2001_v98_p10244.pdf
18. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC419996/pdf/AJHGv71p466.pdf
19. Table 1, section "CENTRAL ASIA" in http://hpgl.stanford.edu/publications/PNAS_2001_v98_p10244.pdf
20. "Afghanistan's Ethnic Groups Share a Y-Chromosomal Heritage Structured by Historical Events"
21. Zerjal, Tatiana (July 17, 2002). "A Genetic Landscape Reshaped by Recent Events: Y-Chromosomal Insights into Central Asia". Am. J. Hum. Genet. 71 (3). Human Genetics: 466–82. doi:10.1086/342096. PMC 419996. PMID 12145751.
22. Wells 2001, Karafet 2001, Zerjal 2002, Underhill 2000, and others
23. Different Matrilineal Contributions to Genetic Structure of Ethnic Groups in the Silk Road Region in China Yong-Gang Yao*, 1 , Qing-Peng Kong*†‡, 1 , Cheng-Ye Wang*‡, Chun-Ling Zhu* and Ya-Ping Zhang*†
24. U.S. Department of State, International Religious Freedom Report 2010
25. Scott Cameron Levi, Ron Sela (2010). "Chapter 4, Discourse on the Qïrghïz Country". Islamic Central Asia: An Anthology of Historical Sources. Indiana University Press. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-253-35385-6.
26. ^ EurasiaNet Civil Society – Kyrgyzstan: Time to Ponder a Federal System – Ex-President's Daughter
27. Alexander Douglas Mitchell Carruthers, Jack Humphrey Miller (1914). Unknown Mongolia: a record of travel and exploration in north-west Mongolia and Dzungaria, Volume 2. Lippincott. p. 345. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
28. "柯尔克孜族". China.com.cn. Retrieved 2007-02-18. Template:Zh icon

References and further reading

• Abramzon, S.M. The Kirgiz and their ethnogenetical historical and cultural connections, Moscow, 1971, ISBN 5-655-00518-2. Template:Ru icon
• Kyzlasov, L.R. "Mutual relationship of terms Khakas and Kyrgyz in written sources of 6–12th centuries". Peoples of Asia and Africa, 1968. Template:Ru icon
• Zuev, Yu.A. "Kirgiz – Buruts". Soviet Ethnography, 1970, No 4, Template:Icon ru.
• Shahrani, M. Nazif. (1979) The Kirghiz and Wakhi of Afghanistan: Adaptation to Closed Frontiers and War. University of Washington Press. 1st paperback edition with new preface and epilogue (2002). ISBN 0-295-98262-4.
• Kyrgyz Republic, by Rowan Stewart and Susie Steldon, by Odyssey publications.
• Books by Chokan Valikhanov
• Aado Lintrop, "Hereditary Transmission in Siberian Shamanism and the Concept of the Reality of Legends"
• 2002 Smithsonian folklife festival
• Kyrgyz Healing Practices: Some Field Notes
• Politics of Language in the Ex-Soviet Muslim States: Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan by Jacob M. Landau and Barbara Kellner-Heinkele. Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-472-11226-5
• Culture of Kyrgyz Republic.Well made JAPANESE pages.
• Kyrgyz Textile Art
• Pulleyblank, E.G. (1990). "The Name of the Kirghiz". Central Asiatic Journal. 34 (1–2). Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz: 98–108.

External links

• Media related to Kyrgyz people at Wikimedia Commons
• Kirghiz tribal tree, Center for Culture and Conflict Studies, US Naval Postgraduate School
• Kirgiz in Orkhon Inscriptions

v t e Demographics of Kyrgyzstan
Ethnic groups	Major groups Kyrgyz (71.0%) Uzbeks (14.3%) Russians (7.8%) Dungans (1.1%) Uyghurs (0.9%) Tajiks (0.9%) Turks (0.7%) Tatars (0.6%) Kazakhs (0.6%) Ukrainians (0.4%) Koreans (0.3%) Azerbaijanis (0.3%) Germans (0.2%) Smaller groups Armenians Chinese Greeks Pakistanis Poles Romanians Lyuli
Religion	Islam Christianity (Roman Catholicism)
Ethnic group statistics according to the 2009 census

• Articles with inconsistent citation formats
• Ethnic Kyrgyz people
• Turkic peoples
• Ethnic groups in Kyrgyzstan
• Ethnic groups in Uzbekistan
• Muslim communities
• Muslim communities of China
• Ethnic groups officially recognized by China
• Turkic tribes