Ili Turks

Ili Turks
Regions with significant populations
 China 120 (2019)
 Kazakhstan57 (2009)
Languages
Ili Turki, Kazakh, Lanyin Mandarin
Religion
Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Uyghurs, Äynus, Uzbeks, Kazakhs

The Ili Turks (Chinese: 土尔克人; pinyin: Tǔ'ěrkè rén; lit. 'Turk people') are a Turkic ethnic group native to Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of northern Xinjiang, China. They speak the Ili Turki language, which belongs to the Karluk branch of the Turkic languages. The oral history of the Ili Turks says that they came from the Ferghana Valley of Uzbekistan. The Chinese government does not recognize the Ili Turks as a distinct ethnic group in censuses.

The Ili Turks are nomadic herders. There are many unique animal husbandry words in their language.