ABSTRACT

The Shira Yughur belong to the linguistically heterogeneous Yughur (Yugur, Yugu) nationality of China, which consists of Mongolic, Turkic, Chinese, and perhaps Amdo Tibetan speakers. The Shira Yughur are not listed separately in the census data. Junast (1981) estimated their number at one third of the (then) total population of 9,000 Yughur, which would make them the second-smallest Mongolic-speaking people in China (after the Khamnigan). The Shira Yughur language is spoken in the central part of Gansu Province, northwestern China. Most speakers are found in Sunan Yughur Autonomous County, in the townships (communes) of Kangle, Hongshiwo, and Qinglong of Kangle District, the townships of Beitan and Dongtan of Huangcheng District, and in Dahe District. Some further speakers live in the adjoining Jiuquan County.