ABSTRACT
The chinese state currently classifies all muslims living in Tibetan areas as belonging to the muslim minority of the ‘hui’. Tibetans distinguish different muslim groups according to the origin of their ancestors. In the present article, the origin and development of the chinese term ‘hui’ will be discussed as well as the equivalent terms in the Tibetan language and the Tibetan terms used for the individual muslim groups living in the Tibetan areas.
