DARKHAD

The Darkhad (, ''craftsmen'') are a Mongolian tribe living mainly in the Bayanzürkh, Ulaan-Uul, Renchinlkhümbe, and Tsagaannuur sums of Khövsgöl aimag in northern Mongolia. The Darkhad valley is named after them.
The Darkhad were originally part of the Oirad or Khotgoid tribes. Between 1549 and 1686, they were subjects of Zasagt Khan aimag and the Khotgoid Altan Khan. In 1786 they became part of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu's Great Shabi. At roughly the same time they became known as ''Black Darkhad''.
Many Darkhad are followers of shamanism. In the 2000 census, 16,268 people identified themselves as Darkhad.