Tuesday
The name Mongols specifies one or several
ethnic groups largely located now in
Mongolia,
China, and
Russia. A narrow definition includes the Mongols proper, which can be roughly divided into eastern and western Mongols. In a wider sense, the Mongol peoples includes people who speak a
Mongolic language but use other self-designations, such as the
Kalmyks of eastern Europe.
The name Monggol appeared first in 8th century records of the Chinese
Tang dynasty, but then only resurfaced in the 11th century during the rule of the
Khitan. At first it was applied to some small and still insignificant tribes in the area of the
Onon River. In the 13th century, it grew into an umbrella term for a large group of Mongolic and
Turkic tribes united under the rule of
Genghis Khan.
The specific origin of the Mongolic languages and associated tribes is unclear. Some researchers have proposed that they developed from a
Tungusic splinter group; others suspect
Paleosiberian influences.
Today, people of Mongol origin live in
Mongolia,
China (
Inner Mongolia),
Russia, and a few other
central Asian countries.
The differentiation between tribes and peoples (nationalities) is handled differently depending on the country. The
Tumed,
Chahar,
Ordos,
Bargut (or Barga),
Buryats,
Dorbots,
Torguut,
Dariganga,
Uzemchin (or Uzumchin),
Bayid,
Khoton,
Mingat,
Zakchins,
Darkhats, and
Oirats (or Oolds or Ölöts) are all counted as tribes of the Mongols.
Other geographically dispersed Mongol peoples include the
Moghol,
Hazara, and
Aimak in
Afghanistan and
Pakistan.
