Darkhad
Darkhat people | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 21,558 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Mongolia | 21,558 |
| Languages | |
| Darkhad dialect of Mongolian | |
| Religion | |
| Mongolian shamanism, Tibetan Buddhism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Turkic peoples,Khotgoid, Oirats, Khalkha Mongols | |
The Darkhad (Mongolian: Дархад [tár̥χət]) are a subgroup of the Mongols living mainly in northern Mongolia; particularly in the Bayanzürkh, Ulaan-Uul, Renchinlkhümbe, Tsagaannuur Districts of Khövsgöl Province. They speak a regional variant of Mongolian known as the Darkhad dialect. As of the 2000 census, 16,268 people identified themselves as Darkhad.
The Darkhad were originally part of the Oirat or Khotgoid tribes. Between 1549 and 1686, they were subjects of Zasagt Khan aimag and the Khotgoid Altan Khan. In 1786 they became part of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu's shabi otog. At roughly the same time they became known as Black Darkhad.
Many Darkhad practise shamanism.
The Darkhad valley is named after them.