About 4,600 of the Yugurs speak Western Yugur (a Turkic language) and about 2,800 Eastern Yugur (a Mongolic language). Western Yugur has preserved many archaisms of Old Uyghur. The remaining Yugurs of the Autonomous County lost their respective Yugur language and speak Chinese. A very small number of the Yugur reportedly speak Tibetan. They use Chinese for intercommunication. Both Yugur languages are now unwritten, although the Old Uyghur alphabet was in use in some Yugur communities until end of 19th century. People The Turkic-speaking Yugur mainly live in the western part of the County in Mínghuā District, in the Townships of Liánhuā and Mínghǎi, and in Dàhé District, in the centre of the county. The Mongolic-speaking Yugur mainly live in the county's eastern part, in Huángchéng District, and in Dàhé and Kānglè Districts, in the centre of the county. The Yugur people are predominantly employed in animal husbandry. Religion The traditional religion of the Yugur is Tibetan Buddhism, which used to be practiced alongside shamanism. References External links Slide shows, maps and other material on the Yugur from author Eric Enno Tamm Original Western Yugur texts with English translation plus PDF grammar of Sarig Yugur Mongol peoples Turkic peoples of Asia Ethnic groups officially recognized by China Uyghur sub-ethnic groups Turkic Buddhists