Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Mongolia | 10,000 (2015)[1] |
Languages | |
Oirat | |
Religion | |
Religious syncretism (Sunni Islam, including elements of Buddhism and Shamanism)[2] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Uyghurs, Huis, Dörbets |
The Khoton or Qotung people are a formerly Turkic, now Mongolized ethnic group in (Outer) Mongolia and Inner Mongolia.[3][4] Most Khotons of Mongolia live in Uvs Province, especially in Tarialan, Naranbulag and Ulaangom, whereas Qotungs of Inner Mongolia are concentrated in Alxa League. While Khotons spoke a Turkic language Khoton until the 19th century, the majority now speak the Dörbet dialect of the Oirat language.[5] Khotons often avoid mainstream Mongolian written culture.[6] There were officially about 6,100 Khotons in 1989.[6] According to the Great Russian Encyclopedia, modern Khoton people are part of the "Mongols — a group of peoples who speak Mongolian languages".[7]
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1956 | 2,603 | — |
1963 | 2,874 | +10.4% |
1969 | 4,056 | +41.1% |
1979 | 4,380 | +8.0% |
1989 | 6,076 | +38.7% |
2000 | 9,014 | +48.4% |
2010 | 11,304 | +25.4% |
2020 | 12,057 | +6.7% |
Source: National Statistical Office of Mongolia |
Khoton, Khotong or Qotung was originally a Mongol term for Muslim Uyghur and Hui people, or Chinese language-speaking Muslims.[6]
The Khotons were settled in Mongolia by the Oirats when the latter conquered Xinjiang and took their city-dwelling ancestors to Mongolia. According to another version, they settled in Mongolia after 1753, when their leader, the Dörbet Prince Tseren Ubashi, surrendered to the Qing Dynasty.[6] According to some scholars, the Khotons are Mongolized Uyghurs as a result.[8]
Unlike most Mongolians, Khotons follow a syncretic form of Islam that incorporates Buddhist and traditional elements (like Tengrism).[9][6] They traditionally avoid intermarriage with other ethnic groups.[6]
Khotons originally spoke a Turkic language. It was spoken up until the 19th century.[5] Once settled in Mongolia, the Khotons adopted the Dörbet or northern dialect of Oirat.[10][9][6]