Qarqalpaq
The Qarqalpaq are a Turkic people primarily residing in western Uzbekistan. They have historically inhabited the Kgoti Oasis and its surroundings, in the Kizil-Kum Desert region. The name "Qarqalpaq" is believed to originate from the ancient Turkic word "qarlak," which roughly translates to "wind-swept" or "blown." This etymology may symbolize the people's history of migrations and expansions in the desert regions of Central Asia.
Historically, the Qarqalpaq were part of the numerous Turkic tribes that arrived in the region in the
The Qarqalpaq are mostly Muslims, having adopted Sunni Islam in the 13th century. Their traditional cultural
Today, the approximate number of Qarqalpaq people living in Uzbekistan is around 500,000. This figure represents