Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Uighurs are an ethnic minority group primarily residing in Xinjiang province in northwest China. They have their own distinct culture, language (Uighur), and religious beliefs (predominantly Islam).
Related terms
Ethnic Minority Groups: This term refers to communities within a country that have distinct cultural traditions or characteristics different from those of the majority population.
Cultural Assimilation: This term refers to the process by which individuals or groups adopt aspects of another culture while losing some aspects of their own cultural identity.
Religious Freedom: This term refers to individuals' right to practice their chosen religion without interference or discrimination from others or the government.