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'Kyrgyz' (also spelled 'Kirghiz') are a Turkic ethnic group found primarily in Kyrgyzstan.

Contents

Etymology

Origins

Religion

The Kyrgyz in China

Notable Kyrgyz people

See also

Notes

References and further reading

Etymology

There are several etymological theories on the name "Kyrgyz." First, the name Kyrgyz may mean "forty girls" (kyrk + kyz), a reference to the Manas epic. This is symbolized by the yellow sun in the center of the flag of Kyrgyzstan, which has 40 rays referring to forty Kyrgyz tribes. Next, a meaning of "forty tribes" (kyrk + uuz) which makes more direct sense. Finally, a meaning (kyrgys, ''adj.''), meaning "imperishable", "inextinguishable" or "undying". This version has an obvious popular appreciation. Historical evidence for many conflicts with other peoples also supports this theory.

Origins

According to recent historical findings, Kyrgyz history dates back to 201 BC. The early Yenisei Kirghiz lived in the upper Yenisey River valley, central Siberia. Chinese and Muslim sources of the 7th–12th centuries AD describe the Kyrgyz as red-haired with fair complexion and green (blue) eyes. First appearing in Chinese records 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), and later as part of the Tiele tribes, they were once under the rule of Göktürks and Uyghurs.
The descent of the Kyrgyz from the autochthonous Siberian population is confirmed on the other hand by recent genetic studies.^[1] Remarkably, 63% of modern Kyrgyz men share Haplogroup R1a1 (Y-DNA) with Tajiks (64%), Ukrainians (54% ), Poles and Hungarians (~60%), and even Icelanders (25%). Haplogroup R1a1 (Y-DNA) is believed to be a marker of the Proto-Indo-European language speakers.
The Kyrgyz state reached its greatest expansion after defeating the Uyghur Khanate in 840 AD. Then Kyrgyz quickly moved as far as the Tian Shan range and maintained their dominance over this territory for about 200 years. In the 12th century, however, the Kyrgyz domination had shrunk to the Altay Range and the Sayan Mountains as a result of the rising Mongol expansion. With the rise of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century, the Kyrgyz migrated south. In 1207, after the establishment of Yekhe Mongol Ulus (Mongol empire), Chingis khan's oldest son Jochi occupied Kyrgyzstan without resistance. They remained a Mongol vassal until the late of 14th century.
Various Turkic peoples ruled them until 1685, when they came under the control of the Kalmyks (Oirats, Dzungars).

Religion

Kyrgyz are predominantly Muslims. Islam was first introduced by Arab traders who travelled along the Silk Road in the seventh and eight century.
In the 8th century, orthodox Islam reached the Fergana valley with the Uzbeks. Atheism, on the other hand, took 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.^[2] She emphasized that many Mosques have been built and that the Kyrgyz are increasingly devoting themselves to Islam, which she noted was "not a bad thing in itself. It keeps our society more moral, cleaner."^[2]

The 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 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. Several hundred Kyrgyz whose forefathers emigrated to Northeast China more than 200 years ago now live in Wujiazi Village in Fuyu County, Heilongjiang Province.
Certain segments of the Kyrgyz in China are followers of Tibetan Buddhism.^[4]

Notable Kyrgyz people

★ Chinghiz Aitmatov - author

★ Askar Akayev - politician, scientist, first President of the Kyrgyz Republic

★ Kurmanbek Bakiyev - politician, current President of the Kyrgyz Republic

★ Kurmanjan Datka - politician, former stateswoman

★ Felix Kulov - politician, former Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic

★ Abdylas Maldybaev - actor/musician

★ Zamira Sydykova - journalist/ambassador

★ Omurbek Tekebayev - politician, speaker of the Kyrgyz parliament

★ Kasym Tynystanov - a prominent Kyrgyz scientist, politician and poet, first minister of education

★ Nasirdin Isanov - politician, first Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic

See also

★ Kyrgyz language

★ List of indigenous peoples of Russia

★ Eagle hunting

★ Turkic languages

★ R1a1

Notes

1. The Eurasian Heartland: A continental perspective on Y-chromosome diversity
2. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav071707a.shtml
3. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav071707a.shtml
4. 柯尔克孜族

References and further reading

★ 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

★ HEREDITARY TRANSMISSION IN SIBERIAN SHAMANISM AND THE CONCEPT OF THE REALITY OF LEGENDS

★ 2002 Smithsonian folklife festival

★ Kyrgyz Healing Practices: Some Field Notes