Äynu people

The Äynu (also Ainu, Abdal and Aini) are an ethnic group native to the Xinjiang region of Western China. There are estimated to be around 30,000 to 50,000 Äynu people, mostly located on the fringe of the Taklamakan Desert.[1][2]

Not to be confused with Ainu language.

History

The origins of the Äynu people are disputed. Some historians theorize that the ancestors of the Äynu were an Iranian-related nomadic people who came from Persia several hundred years ago or more,[3] while others conclude that the Persian vocabulary of the Äynu language is a result of Iranian languages being once the major trade languages of the region or Persian traders intermarrying with local women.[4]

The Äynu at some point converted to Islam in tandem with the Uyghurs. Tension with the Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples of the area resulted in them being pushed out to the less fertile region of the Tarim Basin near the Taklamakan Desert.[2]

The Äynu joined the rebellion of Yakub Beg around 1864 against Qing rule. In the 1930s, the Äynu joined the Kumul rebellion. After the establishment of the Communist state in 1949, certain ethnic groups were given recognition by the state and allowed more cultural freedom. The Äynu applied to be recognized as a distinct ethnic group but were rejected and the state chose to count them as Uyghurs instead.[2]

Language
Main article: Äynu language

The Äynu people's native language is Äynu, a Turkic language with a strong influence from Persian.[1] Äynu is usually only spoken at home, while Uyghur is spoken in public, by Äynu men and women alike.

Culture

Livelihood

The Äynu people engage mostly in agriculture, animal husbandry or work in the construction industry in the cities. A few also fish or hunt. In the past some were peddlers, circumcisers or beggars.[1][2]

Discrimination

There is a tradition of discrimination against the Äynu by their neighbors, who identify the Äynu as Abdal, a name which carries a derogatory meaning.[1] Intermarriage with their neighbors the Uyghur people is uncommon.[5] However, the Chinese government counts the Äynu people as Uyghur.[5]

Religion

The predominant religion of Äynu people is Sunni Islam although a few profess Shia Islam.[2] Pre-Islamic beliefs and rituals are still practiced by the Äynu. Tall poles resembling totem poles can be found in most Äynu villages. The bear is one animal that the Äynu greatly respect and images of it (along with other spirits) are commonly found on the earlier mentioned poles and play a important role in certain ceremonies.[2]

References
  1. Johanson, Lars (2001). "Discoveries on the Turkic Linguistic Map" (PDF). 5. Stockholm: Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul: 21–22. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Minahan, James B. (2014). Ethnic Groups of North, East, and Central Asia: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. pp. 14–15. ISBN 9781610690188.
  3. Safran, William (1998). Nationalism and Ethnoregional Identities in China. Routledge. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7146-4921-4.
  4. Matras, Yaron; Bakker, Peter (2003). The Mixed Language Debate: Theoretical and Empirical Advances. Walter de Gruyter. p. 9. ISBN 3-11-017776-5.
  5. Gordon, Raymond G., Jr., ed. (2005). Ethnologue: Languages of the World (15th ed.). Dallas, Tex.: SIL International.
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