Unrecognized ethnic groups in China

A number of ethnic groups of the People's Republic of China are not officially recognized.[1] Taken together, these groups (Chinese: 未识别民族; pinyin: wèi shíbié mínzú) would constitute the twentieth most populous ethnic group of China. Some scholars have estimated that there are over 200 distinct ethnic groups that inhabit China,[1] compared to 56 groups are officially recognized. There are in addition small distinct ethnic groups that have been classified as part of larger ethnic groups that are officially recognized. Some groups, like the Hui of Xinjiang with the Hui of Fujian, are geographically and culturally separate, except for the shared belief of Islam. Han Chinese, being the world's largest ethnic group, has a large diversity within it, such as in Gansu, whose Han individuals may have genetic traits from the assimilated Tangut civilization. Although they are indigenous to Hainan island and do not speak a Chinese language, the Lingao (Ong-Be) people near the capital (8% of the population) are counted as Han Chinese.

List of ethnic groups
English Name
 Simplified Chinese
 Mandarin Pinyin
 Population Classified in census as ..... Territory Details
Bunu布努人Bùnǔrén700,000YaoGuangxi[2]
Chuanqing穿青人Chuānqīngrén670,000HanLiupanshui/Zhijin County, Bijie Prefecture, GuizhouThe Chuanqings view themselves as a distinct group of people despite being descendants of Han Chinese military servicemen. Most of them live in Anshun area of Guizhou province. Other locals call the Chuanqings "Da Jiao Ban" (Big Foot) or "Da Xiuzi" (Big Sleeves). Uniquely, they worship a god called Wuxian (五显).
Lingao临高人Língāorén500,000 [3]Han or ZhuangHainan[4]Speakers of the Be languages. Some have chosen to register as Zhuang, while the majority of them registered as Han.[5][6]
Waxiang瓦乡人Kǔcōngrén400,000[7]HanYuanling County, Yongding, Yongshun County of HunanMany of the Waxiang people are designated as Miao, while some are designated as Tujia or Han.
Torghut土尔扈特Tǔěrhùtè150,000[8]MongolsXinjiang[9]
Gyalrong嘉絨人Jiāróngrén120,000TibetanNgawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, SichuanSpeakers of the Gyalrong language related to Qiang.
Limin里民人Lǐmínrén100,000LiAnshun/Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, GuizhouPart of the Chuanqing people. Not related to the Li people of Hainan.
Gejia克木族Géjiārén50,000MiaoQiandongnan Prefecture, Guizhou
Äynu艾努 人Àinǔrén50,000UyghurMoyu/Hetian/Luopu/Shache/Shule/Yingjisha Counties, Hotan Prefecture, XinjiangEthnically and linguistically distinct, speak Äynu language (Siberian Turkic subfamily) and adhere Shia Islam (Alevism).
Caijia蔡家人Càijiārén40,000Han or BaiGuizhouCaijia people's language is said to be a relative of the Bai language.
Muxi木佬人Mùlǎorén30,000YiMajiang/Kaili/Huangping (Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture), Duyun/Fuquan (Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture), Guizhou and Chun'an County, ZhejiangTheir language Muyu belongs to the Kra language group, close to the proverb, but due to similarities to the Gelao they are being classified into the Yi.
Mojia莫家人Mòjiārén20,000Bouyei[10]Libo County, Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, GuizhouThey speak the Mak language (Kam-Sui).
Baima白马人Báimǎrén15,000TibetanJiuzhaigou, Sichuan and Wen County, GansuThe Baima people are said to be the descendants of Di (氐) people.
Utsul回辉人Huíhuīrén8,500HuiHainanThe Utsuls are thought to be descendants of Cham refugees who fled their homeland of Champa in Vietnam.
Khmu克木族Kèmùzú7,000BulangXishuangbanna, Yunnan
Guge古格人Gǔgérén5,000Hui (Qinghai), Tibetan (Yunnan)Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Haidong Prefecture, Qinghai, Deqen/Weixi Counties, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan and Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous RegionIt is distributed in Hualong Hui Autonomous County of Qinghai Province, Shangri-La, Deqin, Weixi County, and Lhasa City of Tibet Autonomous Region in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. The Guge people are culturally coordinated and adapted to be compatible with and preserve multi-ethnic culture. Suddenly retain the characteristics of the Hui culture, forming a unique nation.
Akha阿卡人Ākǎrén6,000HaniJinghong/Jinghan/Qilong town (Jinghong County), Bulangshan town (Menghai County) and Qilun town (Mengla County), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, YunnanThe Akha claimed to be "over gram", and Akha was the name of the Yi people (meaning "slaves").
Bisu毕苏人Bìsūrén6,000Some are classified as Lahu while those who live in Menghai County are counted as "undistinguished nationalities"Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
Lemo勒墨人Lēimòrén7,000Bai and LisuLushui County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, YunnanThey are results of intermarriage between Tai Mao (Dehong Dai/Shan) and Lisu peoples.
Altaians阿爾泰人Ā'ěrtàirénseveral thousandMongolian

Altay Prefecture of Xinjiang[11]

Tuvans图瓦人Túwǎrén3,900MongolianFar north of Xinjiang[12][13]Only around 2,000 Tuvan speakers left.
Bugan布赓人Bùgēngrén2,700YiSouthern Guangnan (广南) and northern Xichou (西畴), YunnanSpeakers of the Bugan language.
Pakan布赓人Bùgēngrén2,000YiWennan, Xiqiao. Wenshan, Yunnan
Buyang布央人Bùyāngrén2,000Yao, ZhuangWenshan Prefecture, Yunnan and Napo County, GuangxiThey are closely related to the Laha, Qabiao, Gelao, and Lachi.
Deng僜人Chēngrén2,000May be classified as TibetanZayu County, Linzhi (Nyingchi), Tibet Autonomous RegionThey speak various Mishmi languages (including Kaman/Miju and Idu Mishmi language).
Bolyu巴琉Bāliú1,800Longlin County, GuangxiAlso known as Lai.
Kunge昆格人Kūngérén1,656 (338 households)BlangJinghong County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, YunnanThe custom of the Kunge is different from that of the general Blang. The unique special day has the Dragon and the Dragon Festival. The Dragon Column is an iron festival. The time is in the solar calendar in February. During the festival, you must kill the cows, burn the bonfire, and worship the ancestors.
Bajia八甲人Bājiǎrén1,500Blang and YiYu'a/Yucha Township, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, YunnanDistributed in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Those who mixed with Blang are being classified as Blang peoples while those who unmixed are being classified as Yi peoples (this happened on 2011 after approval by Chinese National Civil Affairs Commission and the Yunnan Provincial Government).
Fuyu Kyrgyz富裕柯尔克孜人1,400KyrgyzFuyu County, HeilongjiangEthnically and linguistically distinct from Kyrgyz, closely related to the ancient Yenisei Kyrgyz and modern Khakas in Siberia.
Keriya克里雅人Kèlǐyǎrén1,300UyghurYutian/Minfeng County, Hotan Prefecture, XinjiangThe Keriya people are said to be descendants of the Tibet Aliguge dynasty. Another group are said to be desert indigenous people living there. The natural environment determines the lifestyle of the Keriya people in the deep Taklimakan Desert. It still retains the simple and pure folk customs. Culture and a more primitive way of life. Most of them lived together for generations. The elderly at home are the most respected elders. The tribes rarely marry outsiders. They are called "the primitive tribes in the desert".
Manmi曼咪人Mànmīrén1,000BlangJinghong County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, YunnanManmi people have their own language, Man Met which belongs to the Mon-Khmer (Austroasiatic) language group, and the Manmi people's housing, costumes, religious beliefs, and festivals are similar to the Yi people, but the ethnic group is classified as the Blang ethnic group. Now, Manmi people hope to be counted as an independent nation.
Kaifeng Jews 开封犹太人 Kāifēng Yóutàizú 600 – 1,000[14] Hui or Han Kaifeng, Henan Descendants of Jewish silk road traders.
Kangjia康家人Kāngjiārén500–600HuiJainca (Jianzha) County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, QinghaiThe Kangjia people have their own language, Kangjia language. It belongs to the Mongolian language group. The lifestyle is mixed with the Hui and Tu nationalities. Therefore, the Kangjia peoples now consider themselves to be an independent nationality, different from the surrounding people.
Mang莽人Mǎngrén568BlangXishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
Tomao托茂人Tuōmàorén500HuiYanqi Hui Autonomous County, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang and Zhidoi County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, QinghaiMuslim minority distributed in Qinghai and Xinjiang,[15] with its own unique customs, using Tomo language (a Mongolian mixed Arabic and Persian vocabulary).
Qabiao布标族Bùbiāozú302YiMalipo County, YunnanAlso known in Vietnam as the Pu Peo.
Laopin老品人Lǎopǐnrén233 (in 52 households)May be classified as DaiMenghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, YunnanThe Lao Ping ethnics call themselves "old products", also known as "card products". Old people retain their own language, such as eating for "Tangza", housing for "crowding", and fluent slang. The old-fashioned housing is a Chinese-style bungalow. A unique original religion, with temples and godless statues, is held every year in the whole village.
Laomian老緬人Lǎomiǎnrén233 (in 52 households)LahuMenghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, YunnanThe Laomian has nothing to do with the Burmese. The Laomian people is a cross-border ethnic group distributed in the border areas of China, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. In China, Laojia Dazhai in Zhutang Township of Mula County and Miaohai Village in Menghai County of Mianhai County are the main settlements.
Daman达曼人Dámànrén200TibetanGyirong County, Shigatse Prefecture, TibetThey are popularly believed to be descendants of the Nepalese Gurkha army.
Caizu菜族人Càizúrén170 (in 32 households)HanUnknown
Ili Turks土尔克人,
土爾克人		Tǔěrkèrén120[16]Uzbek, UyghurIli Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Northern XinjiangEthnically and linguistically distinct from Uyghurs.
Ongkor翁阔人Wēngkuòrén20EvenkiYining County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, XinjiangIt is said that Ongkor is the smallest ethnic group in China. The 1993 survey showed that there were only 20 people.
Tanka疍家人DànjiārénHanGuangdong, Fujian, HainanThought to have Baiyue origins. Traditionally boat people who lived by the sea, they were sometimes referred to as "sea gypsies".
Dolan刀朗人DāolǎngrénUyghurAwat County, Xinjiang
Kucong苦聪人KǔcōngrénLahuYunnan

See also

References
  1. Shih, Chih-yu (2002). Negotiating Ethnicity in China: Citizenship as a Response to the State. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-28372-8.
  2. Luo, Liuning 罗柳宁 (2018-04-07). "Bùnǔ Yáo léigōng miào de wénhuà nèihán jiědú" 布努瑶雷公庙的文化内涵解读. Pǔshì shèhuì kēxué yánjiū wǎng 普世社会科学研究网 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  3. Zhōngguó dìlǐ 中国地理 (in Chinese). Zhongguo renmin daxue shubao ziliaoshe. 1986.
  4. "Hua nan shi fan da xue xue bao: Journal of South China Normal University. She hui ke xue ban". Huánán shīfàn dàxué xuébào 华南师范大学学报 (in Chinese). 1983.
  5. Shi, Lianzhu 施联朱 (2005). Zhōngguó de mínzú shìbié: 56 gè mínzú de láilì 中国的民族识别: 56个民族的来历 (in Chinese). Beijing Shi: Minzu chubanshe. ISBN 978-7-105-06613-1.
  6. "東南文化". Dōngnán wénhuà 東南文化 (in Chinese). 1987.
  7. Liu, Xinglu 刘兴禄 (2009). "Xiāngxī Wǎxiāng rénmín wèn shòuliè xísú chūtàn" 湘西瓦乡人民问狩猎习俗初探 [An Exploration of Hunting Custom of the Waxiang People in Xiangxi]. Jíshǒu dàxué xuébào (shèhuì kēxué bǎn) (in Chinese). 30 (5): 49. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-4074.2009.05.010.
  8. "Jiědú: Měiguó wèihé huì yǒu 3200 míng Tǔěrhùtèrén? Tāmen shì zěnme dào dì Měiguó?" 解读：美国为何会有3200名土尔扈特人？他们是怎么到的美国？. Wǎngyì 网易 (in Chinese). 2020-09-04. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  9. "民族硏究". Mínzú yánjiū 民族硏究 (in Chinese). 1999.
  10. Yang, Tongyin 杨通銀 (2000). Mòyǔ yánjiū 莫语硏究 (in Chinese). Beijing Shi: Zhongyang minzu daxue chubanshe. ISBN 978-7-81056-427-4.
  11. Olson, James S. (1998). "Altai". An Ethnohistorical Dictionary of China. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. pp. 9–11. ISBN 0-313-28853-4.
  12. Mongush, M. V. (1996). "Tuvans of Mongolia and China". International Journal of Central Asian Studies. 1: 225–243.
  13. Suihkonen, Pirkko; Whaley, Lindsay J., eds. (2014). On Diversity and Complexity of Languages Spoken in Europe and North and Central Asia. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. p. 340. ISBN 978-90-272-6936-2.
  14. Pfeffer, Anshel (12 January 2018). "Taking the Silk Route Back Home". Haaretz. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  15. "Shi jie zong jiao yan jiu". Shìjiè zōngjiào yánjiū 世界宗教研究 (in Chinese). 1990.
  16. "Ili Turki". Ethnologue. Archived from the original on 2019-06-06.

Further reading
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