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Encyclopedia > Kyrgyz
Kyrgyz
A traditional Kyrgyz Manaschi performing part of the Manas epic poem at a yurt camp in Karakol
Total population

approx. 4 million Kyrgyz or Kirghiz (Kyrgyz tili, Кыргыз тили, قىرعىز ٴتىلى) is a Turkic language, and, together with Russian, an official language of Kyrgyzstan. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Kyrgyz_Manaschi,_Karakol. ... Manas is a traditional epic poem of the Kyrgyz people and the name of the epics eponymous hero. ... The Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral in Karakol. ...

Regions with significant populations
Flag of Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan 3.55 million [1]
Flag of Uzbekistan Uzbekistan 225,000
Flag of the People's Republic of China China 144,000 [2]
Flag of Tajikistan Tajikistan 81,000
Flag of Russia Russia 32,000 [3]
Flag of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan 11,000 [4]
Flag of Ukraine Ukraine 3,000 [5]
Language(s)
Kyrgyz
Religion(s)
Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
other Turkic peoples

Kyrgyz (also spelled Kirghiz) are a Turkic ethnic group found primarily in Kyrgyzstan. Image File history File links Flag_of_Kyrgyzstan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Uzbekistan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Tajikistan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Kazakhstan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ukraine. ... Kyrgyz or Kirghiz (Kyrgyz tili, Кыргыз тили, قىرعىز ٴتىلى) is a Turkic language, and, together with Russian, an official language of Kyrgyzstan. ... Sunni Muslims are the largest denomination of Islam. ... This article is about the various peoples speaking one of the Turkic languages. ... This article is about the various peoples speaking one of the Turkic languages. ...

Contents

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. Manas is a traditional epic poem of the Kyrgyz people and the name of the epics eponymous hero. ... Flag ratio: 3:5 The flag of Kyrgyzstan was adopted on March 3, 1992. ...


Origins

According to recent historical findings, Kyrgyz history dates back to 201 BC.[citation needed] 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 Yenisei Kirghiz or Xiajiasi (Chinese: ) were an ancient people that dwelled at the headwaters of the Yenisei River and Minusinsk Depression between the 3rd century BCE to 9th century. ... Енисей Length 5,550 (4,102) km Elevation of the source m Average discharge 19,600 m³/s Area watershed 2,580,000 km² Origin  ? Mouth Arctic Ocean Basin countries Russia The Yenisei basin, Lake Baikal, and the cities of Dikson, Dudinka, Turukhansk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk... This article is about Siberia as a whole. ... Sima Qian Si Ma Qian (司馬遷) (c. ... The Records of the Grand Historian or the Records of the Grand Historian of China (Chinese: 史記; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Shih-chi; literally Historical Records), written from 109 BCE to 91 BCE, was the magnum opus of Sima Qian, in which he recounted Chinese history from the time of the mythical... Centuries: 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC Decades: 150s BC 140s BC 130s BC 120s BC 110s BC - 100s BC - 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC 50s BC Years: 114 BC 113 BC 112 BC 111 BC 110 BC - 109 BC - 108 BC 107 BC... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 140s BC 130s BC 120s BC 110s BC 100s BC - 90s BC - 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC 50s BC 40s BC Years: 96 BC 95 BC 94 BC 93 BC 92 BC - 91 BC - 90 BC 89 BC 88... The Yenisei Kirghiz or Xiajiasi (Chinese: ) were an ancient people that dwelled at the headwaters of the Yenisei River and Minusinsk Depression between the 3rd century BCE to 9th century. ... The Dingling/Gaoche/Chile/Tiele (丁零/高車/æ••å‹’/铁勒) peoples were an ancient Siberian people. ... The Göktürks or Kök-Türks were a Turkic people of ancient Central Asia and China. ... For the language spoken by this ethnic group, see Uyghur language. ...


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% [citation needed]), 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. Siberian federal subjects of Russia Siberia (Russian: Сиби́рь, common English transliterations: Sibir, Sibir; possibly from the Mongolian for the calm land) is a vast region of Russia and northern Kazakhstan constituting all of northern Asia. ... Distribution of R1a (purple) and R1b (red), after McDonald (2005). ... Tajiks are Central Asian Iranians or East-Iranians. ... The Proto-Indo-European language (PIE) is the hypothetical common ancestor of the Indo-European languages, spoken by the Proto-Indo-Europeans. ...


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), Ghengis khan's oldest son Jochi occupied Kyrgyzstan without resistance. They remained a Mongol vassal until the late of 14th century. For the language spoken by this ethnic group, see Uyghur language. ... The Tian Shan (Chinese: 天山; Pinyin: Tiān Shān; celestial mountains) mountain range is located in Central Asia, in the border region of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of western China. ... Altay or Altai may refer to: Altay, Xinjiang, also spelled Aletai, a city in Xinjiang, China Altay, Govi-Altay, a city in Govi-Altay Province, Mongolia Altay Mountains Altay language Altay (sheep), a sheep breed Altai Republic, a federal subject of Russia Altai Krai, a federal subject of Russia This... Lake Gornyh Duhov Western Sayan, Ergaki mountains The Sayan Mountains (Russian: , Sayany) are a mountain range in southern Siberia, Asia. ... Honorary guard of Mongolia. ... Expansion of the Mongol Empire Historical map of the Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire, also known as the Mongolian Empire (Mongolian: , Mongolyn Ezent Güren; 1206–1405) was the largest contiguous empire in world history founded in Mongolia, covering over 33 million km²[1] (12 million square miles) at its...


Various Turkic peoples ruled them until 1685, when they came under the control of the Kalmyks (Oirats, Dzungars). This article is about the various peoples speaking one of the Turkic languages. ... The Republic of Kalmykia (Russian: Респу́блика Калмы́кия; Kalmyk: Хальм Тангч) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation (a republic). ... Oirats (also spelled Oyrats or Oyirads; Mongolian: Ойрадын Ojradyn) refers to both a Western Mongol people of Europe and Asia and, historically, to a Turkic people now known as the Altays. ... The Dzungars (also Jungars or Zungars; Mongolian: Зүүнгар Züüngar) were a tribe of the Oirat Mongols. ...


Religion

A minaret in Kyrgyzstan.
A minaret in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz are predominantly Muslims. Islam was first introduced by Arab traders who travelled along the Silk Road in the seventh and eight century. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1200x1600, 242 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Karakol ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1200x1600, 242 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Karakol ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... The vast majority of todays Kyrgyz are Muslims of the Sunni branch, but Islam came late and fairly superficially to the area. ... The Silk Road extending from Southern Europe through Arabia, Egypt, Persia, India till China. ...


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."[3] The Fergana Valley or Farghana Valley (Uzbek: , Kyrgyz: Фергана өрөөнү, Tajik: водии Фaрғонa, Russian: , Persian: ) is a region in the Tian Shan mountain ranges of Central Asia spreading across eastern Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. ... This article is about the practice of shamanism; for other uses, see Shaman (disambiguation). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Bermet Akayeva Bermet Akayeva (Бермет Акаева) (born June 3, 1972 in Leningrad) is a Kyrgyz politician and former MP. She is the daughter of ousted former President Askar Akayev. ... Æskar Akayevich Akayev (Аскар Акаевич Акаев) (born 10 November 1944 in Kyzyl-Bairak, Kirghiz SSR) served as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 1990 until the Kyrgyz people overthrew him in March 2005 in the Tulip Revolution. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...


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. Kizilsu Kirghiz Prefecture (Chinese:克孜勒苏柯尔克孜自治州, Pinyin: KèzÄ«lèsÅ« KēěrkèzÄ« Zìzhìzhōu, Kirghiz: قىزىلسۇ قىرعىز اۋتونوم وبلاستى / Кыргыз Кызылсу aвтономиялы oбласты, Uyghur: قىزىلسۇ قىرغىز ئاپتونوم ئوبلاستى) is an autonomous prefecture of the Peoples Republic of China. ... For the county in Shanxi province, see Xinjiang County. ... Aksu (also known as Ak-su, Akshu, Aqsu, Bharuka and Po-lu-chia. ... Yarkand (modern Chinese name 莎車), pinyin: ShāchÄ“ also written SuōchÄ“; . Altitude about 1,189 m. ... Yarkand, 1868, showing city walls and gallows Yarkand (modern Chinese name 莎車), pinyin: ShāchÄ“ also written SuōchÄ“. Altitude about 1,189 m. ... Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County (Uyghur Yengi Yezik: Taxkuran; Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Sariquli Tajik in IPA: ; sometimes spelled Tashkorgan, Tashkurghan etc. ... Pishan (Chinese: 皮山; pinyin: Píshān; also known as Guma; 37°37′ N 78°18′ E) is an ancient to medieval Tocharian Buddhist kingdom in what is modern day Xinjiang, China. ... The Emin is a society that does research into esoteric/occult through human being development. ... Bole (simplified Chinese: 博乐; traditional Chinese: 博樂;pinyin: Bólè; also known as Bortala) is a city in Xinjiang. ... Bole may refer to: Bole, Ghana; Bole District, Ghana; Bole, Nottinghamshire, England; Bole, Xinjiang, China; bole (unit), a unit of momentum; bole (botany), that part of the trunk of a tree beneath the point where branching commences. ... Jing can refer to: Beijing, capital of China (name derives from Chinese jÄ«ng (京), capital, part of Beijing (北京)) and is used as a derogatory term. ... Fuyu (Buyeo) was an ancient ethnic group and its kingdom in northern Manchuria. ... Heilongjiang (Simplified Chinese: 黑龙江省; Traditional Chinese: 黑龍江省; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Postal System Pinyin: Heilungkiang) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China located in the northeastern part of the country. ...


Certain segments of the Kyrgyz in China are followers of Tibetan Buddhism.[4] Tibetan Buddhism is the body of religious Buddhist doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet, the Himalayan region (including northern Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and Ladakh), Mongolia, Buryatia, Tuva and Kalmykia (Russia), and northeastern China (Manchuria: Heilongjiang, Jilin). ...


Notable Kyrgyz people

Chinghiz Aitmatov Chinghiz Aitmatov (Kyrgyz: Чыңгыз Айтматов (Çıňğız Aytmatov); Russian: ; born on 12 December 1928 in Sheker (Kyrgyz: Шекер (Şeker)), near Talas in Kyrgyzstan, is a Kyrgyz writer who composed works in both Russian and Kyrgyz, the best known figure of his countrys literature. ... Æskar Akayevich Akayev (Аскар Акаевич Акаев) (born 10 November 1944 in Kyzyl-Bairak, Kirghiz SSR) served as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 1990 until the Kyrgyz people overthrew him in March 2005 in the Tulip Revolution. ... The President of Kyrgyzstan is the head of state and the highest official of the Kyrgyz Republic. ... Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev (Russian: Курманбек Салиевич Бакиев - variously transliterated; born 1 August 1949) is the President of Kyrgyzstan. ... Kurmanjan Datka (or Datka Kurmanjan Mamatbai kysy) (1811-1907), also known as the The Tsaritsa of Alai or The Queen of the South (in Kyrgyzstan) was a women well known for her resistance towards the Russian conquest and a stateswoman of the Kyrgyz Republic. ... Felix Sharshenbayevich Kulov (Феликс Шаршенбаевич Кулов; born 29 October 1948 in Bishkek) served as Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan following the Tulip Revolution. ... List of Prime Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Nasirdin Isanov (1991-08-30 - 1991-11-29) Andrei Iordan (1991-11-29 - 1992-02-10) Tursunbek Chyngyshev (1992-02-10 - 1992-02-26), acting Tursunbek Chyngyshev (1992-02-26 - 1993-12-13) Almanbet Matubraimov (1993-12-13 - 1993-12-14), acting Apas Jumagulov... Abdylas Maldybaev (Абдылас Малдбаев) (1906-1978) was a Kyrgyz composer, actor, and tenor singer. ... Zamira Sydykova Zamira Sydykova (born 1960 in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan), is the Kyrgyz ambassador to the United States, having been appointed to this position by president Kurmanbek Bakiyev. ... Omurbek Tekebayev (Russian: Омурбек Текебаев) is a Kyrgyz politician and the current Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament, elected in March 2005. ... The parliament of Kyrgyzstan, the Supreme Council (Joghorku Keneš), has two chambers. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Nasirdin Isanov (Насирдин Исанов) (November 7, 1943 – November 29, 1991) was the first Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan after it gained independence in 1991. ...

See also

Kyrgyz or Kirghiz (Kyrgyz tili, Кыргыз тили, قىرعىز ٴتىلى) is a Turkic language, and, together with Russian, an official language of Kyrgyzstan. ... List of indigenous peoples of Russia Ket people Nenets people Tuvan people Buryats Yakuts Enets people Indigenous peoples of the Russian North Categories: | | | ... A professional eagle hunter from Kazakhstan Hunting with eagles (Golden Eagle) is a traditional ancient art, practiced on the Eurasian steppes and particularly in Central Asia. ... The Turkic languages constitute a language family of some thirty languages, spoken across a vast area from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean to Siberia and Western China, and are traditionally considered to be part of the proposed Altaic language family. ... In human genetics, Haplogroup R1a1 (M17) is a Y-chromosome haplogroup, that is spread across Eurasia. ...

Notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References and further reading


  Results from FactBites:
 
LLRX -- Overview of the Legal System of the Kyrgyz Republic and Web Resources (1738 words)
The President of the Kyrgyz Republic is the head of the state, the supreme official and the head of the executive power in the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Banking activity in the KR is regulated by the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic On Banks and Banking Activity of July 29, 1997 and the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic On the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic of July 29, 1997.
The Laws of the Kyrgyz Republic On Foreign Investments in the Kyrgyz Republic of September 24,1997 and On Concessions and Foreign Concession Enterprises in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan of March 6, 1992 specify guaranties for foreign investors and concessionaires.
GlobaLex - UPDATE: A Guide to the Legal System and Legal Research in the Kyrgyz Republic (5787 words)
In the Kyrgyz Republic the institution of the Presidency was established on October 24, 1990 by a Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz republic of the twelfth convocation.
The Jogorku Kenesh is the parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic.
In 1995 the Department of Intellectual Property was established at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic - Kyrgyzpatent (The Rules of the Department of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic of August 29, 1995).
  More results at FactBites »

 

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