Salar - Definition and Overview

The Salar people are an ethnic group in eastern Qinghai and southwestern Gansu. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. They are the Sǎlá (撒拉) in Chinese. They number in 87,000 as of late 20th century.

Their ancestors were migrating Oghuz Turks who intermarried with the Tibetans, Han Chinese, and Hui. They are a patriarchal agricultural society and Muslims. In addition to their native tongue, many are also Tibetan-speakers. Their written language is Chinese.