Tungans and Taranchis. 



is customary with other Mohammedan races, and enjoy a con- 

 siderable amount of hberty, playing an important part in 

 household spheres. 



The dwellings of the Taranchis are usually on a better scale 

 than those in Kashgaria, windows and furniture of Russian make 

 being often seen. 



The Tungans are considered by some authorities on ethnography 

 to have sprung from the Uighurs who were settled in Kansu and 

 Shensi, two provinces of Western China, many centuries ago. 

 They assumed the Chinese language, manners and dress, but 

 preserved the Mohammedan religion, of which they have ever 

 been adherents, though perhaps not very strict ones. 



The Tungans were also brought into Ili at the time of the 

 rebellion of 1756, and their occupations there are confined to 

 agriculture and trade. 



In stature the Tungans are slightly above the middle height, 

 with high foreheads and prominent cheek bones, dark hair, and 

 meagre beards. The women assume Chinese dress, but do not 

 enclose the feet as is customary amongst the Celestial ladies. 



On the whole the Tungans are superior to the Chinese, and are 

 not addicted to the opium habit, though their morals as far as 

 trade and administration are concerned are probably on much 

 the same level as those of their rulers. 



As in the case of other parts of Chinese Turkistan the Chinese 

 element in the population is a small one, being mainly confined 

 to a few shopkeepers and the ruling and official classes. The 

 troops are, of course, Chinese, and the Governors and high officials 

 Manchus. 



Of the Kalmuks, Kazaks and Kirghiz mention has been 

 already made, so that nothing further need be said here 

 respecting them. 



Having given a brief description of Ili, its history and 

 inhabitants, we come to Kulja itself, the chief town and capital 

 of the province. It consists of two towns, Old and New Kulja, 

 the former being the one in which I stayed, and the more 



301 



