Hotan Turks

Hoton Turks are an ethnic community of Turkish origin living today in western Mongolia, particularly in Uvs Province. Historically believed to have migrated from the Hotan region of Eastern Turkestan to Mongolia, this group possesses a unique linguistic, cultural, and traditional structure. Although the Hotons gradually adopted the Dörbet dialect of the Oirat Mongolian language over time, they spoke their own distinct Turkic dialect until the 19th century. This dialect is now considered extinct.

Origins

The name “Hoton” is most likely derived from their ancestral homeland, the city of Hotan. In Chinese, Tibetan, and Sanskrit sources, this region is referred to in various forms such as “Yü-t’ien,” “Hvatana,” and “Gōdaṇa,” carrying meanings with religious connotations such as “offering of cows.” During the era of the Ancient Uyghur Khaganate, the Hotons were identified as a tribe of the Uyghurs. In the 17th century, they are thought to have been brought to Mongolia by the Zungar Khanate for agricultural and military purposes, with the group reportedly consisting of 300 to 400 war captives.

Ethnogenesis and Naming Debates

Several theories exist regarding the origin of the name “Hoton.” One suggests it derives from the Mongolian word hot, meaning “city.” Another popular folk narrative claims that Hoton men, seeking to escape Mongol attacks, disguised themselves as women and were thus called “Hatun,” a term that later evolved into “Hoton.” However, this account is disputed within scholarly circles. Sources propose that the Hotons trace their roots to the Zhantekei branch of the Kazakhs, the cities of Osh and Bukhara, or the Uyghur-Sart culture.

Population

According to data from the National Statistics Office of Mongolia, the Hoton population numbered 2,603 in 1956 and reached 12,057 by 2020. The majority reside in the Tarialan district of Uvs Province. However, as urbanization increases, some Hotons have migrated to urban centers such as Ulaanbaatar.

Tribal Structure

The Hotons consist of seven main tribes: Şāvay, Hoçgeld, Holidog, Burd, Ogotor, Hasan, and Şalbag. These tribes are known as “elken.” Each elken has sacred totems. For example, the symbol of the Şāvay elken is “book,” while that of the Burd elken is “khuur” (a musical instrument). These symbols are associated with cultural roles such as religious leadership or artistic talent.

Language

Hoton Turkish was spoken until the 19th century, after which it was replaced by the Dörbet dialect of the Oirat language. Data on this unique dialect have been collected by Russian scholars (G. N. Potanin, B.Y. Vladimirtsov, A.N. Samoilovich) and Mongolian academics. Lexicons, pronunciation features, and phonetic structures have been studied to produce some linguistic records.

Culture

Hoton culture has become deeply intertwined with Islam while retaining traces of its Buddhist past. Religious practices include traditions of prayer, sacred parental rituals, and circumcision ceremonies. Traditional clothing remains an important element of dress culture. The Hotons’ tamgas, textile motifs, and folk music are integral components of their cultural identity.

Literature

Hoton literature has been primarily transmitted through oral tradition. In addition to sacred texts and prayers, the community preserves narratives, legends, and hagiographies from both pre-Islamic and post-Islamic periods. However, the number of written texts remains very limited.