The Sart Kalmaks: A Mongol group in Kyrgyzstan
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| Year of publication | 2023 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The paper provides a general overview of the Sart Kalmaks in Kyrgyzstan, encompassing their self-identity, religion, historical background, and present situation. The paper is based on fieldwork the author conducted in early 2020. Currently residing in compact groups in the Issyk-Kul region of Eastern Kyrgyzstan, the Sart Kalmaks trace their roots to the Oold people and migrated to Kyrgyzstan from Xinjiang in the late 19th century. Originally practitioners of Buddhism, they underwent a religious shift and embraced Islam. Notably, the Sart Kalmaks now identify themselves as a Kyrgyz tribe, illustrating a dynamic cultural and religious change within this unique population. |
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