Geography and Language of Bonan (保安族)
The Bonan people are also known as Bao’an and live in Qinghai and Gansu provinces. They are the smallest ethnic minority group in China. Their language belongs to the Altaic family (along with Mongolian, to which it is related), although the Bonan people have borrowed several words from Han Chinese, which also serves as their written language.
- Population: 16,505
- Distribution: Gansu
- Language: Bonan
- Religion: Islam
Culture and History of Bonan (保安族)
Some customs and legends are the same as those of the Mongolians and the Bonan people used to live in the Baoan region. During the early reign of the Qing Emperor Tongzhi, they fled from the feudal owners of the local Longwu Monastery and stayed in Xunhua for a few years before moving to Gansu province. They are mainly concentrated now in Dahejia, Linxia County. Until the middle of the twentieth century, the area was desolate Farmland used to be owned by beaurocrats, religious leaders and landlords who demanded rent ‘in kind’, which could be as high as fifty per cent. Without the burden of oppression, it is now lush and temperate, making it perfect for farming and breeding livestock. It is also thick with woodland and is well supplied with natural sources of water.
Religion and Traditions of Bonan (保安族)
The Bonan people are mainly Old and New Muslims and one of their means of income is in knife-making. Their knives are famous all over China because of their high-quality.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|