The Abagas (Khalkha-Mongolian:Авга/Avga; Chinese: 阿巴噶部) are a Southern Mongolian ethnic groupe in Abag Banner, Inner Mongolia, China.
Regions with significant populations | |
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Religion | |
Tibetan Buddhism, Mongolian Shamanism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Mongols, Southern Mongols |
Etymology
editThe ethnonym "Abaga" translated from Mongolian language means paternal uncle. According to G. Sukhbaatar, this ethnonym goes deep into history, right up to the Xianbei. L. Bazin was the first to propose such an interpretation, comparing the Xianbei aimak Afugan with Abagas.[1]
History
editThe Abagas and Abaganars appeared in the 13th century from the people granted by Genghis Khan to his brother Belgutei. Some of them mixed not only with Mongol-speaking tribes - Oirats, Khalkhas, Buryats, Inner Mongols and Kalmyks, but also became part of the Turkmens, Telengits and Evenks.[2]