Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
China | 120 (2019) [1] |
Kazakhstan | 57 (2009) [2] |
Languages | |
Ili Turki, Kazakh, Chinese | |
Religion | |
Sunni Islam [1] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Uyghurs, Uzbeks, Kazakhs |
The Ili Turks ( Chinese: 土尔克人; pinyin: Tǔ'ěrkè rén; lit. 'Turk people') are a Turkic ethnic group native to Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of northern Xinjiang, China. [3] They speak the Ili Turki language, which belongs to the Karluk branch of the Turkic languages. [1] The oral history of the Ili Turks says that they came from the Ferghana Valley of Uzbekistan. [1] The Chinese government does not recognize the Ili Turks as a distinct ethnic group in censuses.
The Ili Turks are nomadic herders. There are many unique animal husbandry words in their language. [4] [5]