{{Short description|Ethnic group}} {{Infobox ethnic group | group = Akto Turkmen | native_name = {{lang|ug|ئاقتو تۈركمەن}} | image = | image_caption = | pop = 4,900 | popplace = Xinjiang | region1 = {{flag|China}} (Akto County) | pop1 = 2,000 | ref1 = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=1243|title=PeopleGroups.org - Akto Turkmen of China|website=peoplegroups.org}}</ref> | langs = Akto dialect of Uyghur | rels = Sunni Islam | related = Kyrgyz, Uyghurs, Uzbeks, Turkmens }} The '''Akto Turkmen''' ({{langx|ug|ئاقتو تۈركمەن}}) are a subgroup of the Kyrgyz people who live in Xinjiang, China. As a result of language shift, they have adopted the Uyghur language as their mother tongue. They reside in Akto County, in the Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture.<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://lausanneworldpulse.com/urban-php/770/07-2007 | title=Into Their World…The Akto Turkmen of China |website=Lausanne World Pulse Archives }}</ref>
== History == The Akto claim to be from Samarqand, a city in modern Uzbekistan, who settled in the Xinjiang region of China during the 17th century.<ref name="auto"/> The Akto have rebelled against the Chinese government many times since the Qing dynasty.<ref>[https://lirp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/5ddddb20/dms3rep/multi/opt/akto-turkmen-1920w.jpg Akto Turkmen] Multiscreen Site. Retrieved 15 December 2022</ref> In 1990, nearly 1,000 Akto Turkmens rebelled against the Chinese government and were mostly detained over separatist charges.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://irp.fas.org/world/para/uighur.htm | title=Uighur militants Committee for Eastern Turkistan|website=fas.org}}</ref> It was organised by the East Turkestan Islamic Party, a Uyghur separatist group which plans to make Xinjiang independent.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hao |first1=Shiyuan |title=How the Communist Party of China Manages the Issue of Nationality: An Evolving Topic |year=2015 |publisher=Springer|location=Xinjiang |isbn=9783662484623 |page=208 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LfcUCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA208}}</ref>
== Culture == The Akto Turkmens are Sunni Muslims who observe both Kyrgyz and Uyghur festivals, as well as pre-Islamic traits.<ref name="auto"/> Though they speak Uyghur, they are recognised by the Chinese government as Kyrgyz. They primarily live in Akto County, as well as two villages outside Akto. They are skilled shepherds and goat herders.
== Language == The Akto Turkmen speak a distinct dialect of Uyghur known as ''Aqto Türkmen'' ({{lang|ug|ئاقتو تۈركمەن}}), which is considered by ''Ethnologue'' to be a variety of Uyghur under Turkmen influence.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ethnologue.com/contribution/55096 | title=Various | date=10 February 2015 |website=ethnologue.com}}</ref> It is part of the Central Uyghur dialects which are the most spoken Uyghur dialects.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mustgo.com/worldlanguages/uyghur/ | title=Uyghur Language - Structure, Writing & Alphabet - MustGo }}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Turkic peoples}} {{authority control}}
Category:Ethnic groups in Xinjiang Category:Kyrgyz in China Category:Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture Category:Uzbekistani diaspora Category:Uyghur language Category:Asian diaspora in China