tungans

The Tungans, also spelled Dungans, are a Chinese Muslim community that migrated from northern China to Central Asia in the late 19th century. They are descendants of Hui Muslims who left China during and after the Dungan Revolt of 1862–1877. In Central Asia they established communities in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, with smaller groups in Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, and some in parts of Russia.

Language and religion: The community is named after the Dungan language, a Mandarin-based language historically written in Cyrillic that developed in emigration. Today many Tungans are bilingual, speaking their heritage language alongside local languages such as Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik, or Russian. They are predominantly Sunni Muslims, following the Hanafi school, and maintain mosques, religious schools, and customary rituals.

Culture and economy: Culturally the Tungans draw on both Chinese and Central Asian influences, with distinctive cuisine, family names, and traditional festivals alongside local practices. Traditionally they engaged in farming, trade, and crafts; in the diaspora they often participated in local commerce and urban labor markets, maintaining tight-knit communities that supported education and charitable endowments.

Contemporary status: In the post-Soviet era, Dungan communities have faced language shift and varying degrees of cultural assimilation, though several associations and schools seek to preserve the Dungan language and heritage. The community is generally recognized as a minority in countries where they reside, contributing to the multicultural tapestry of Central Asia.