Khar Darkhad The Khar Darkhad who form the Majority of the Darkhad people, were originally subjects of Genden Sain Khuntaij's brother, Lord Geleg, under the rule of the Zasagt Khan. These people were relocated by decree to the Haraa and Yeruu regions and became disciples (shavi) of Zanabazar, the Undur Gegeen. Longing for their homeland, they petitioned Zanabazar for permission to return to the Shishged region. He granted their request, declaring them as his "exempted disciples" (darhads), thus giving rise to the name Darkhad. This group is now recognized as the Khar Darkhad. However, not just Tofalars and Mongols include the current Khar Darkhad may also include members from the
Khamnigan clans.
Ukhaa Darkhad Ukhaa Darkhad are subgroup of the Darkhad people. descendants of the
Samoyeds, an ethnic group that lived in the Soyon Mountains and paid tribute to Russia. The name is historically tied to their settlement in what is now Khankh and Renchinlkhümbe sums of
Khövsgöl Province. Two rivers in these areas are named "Ukhaa," reflecting the fact that the "Ukhaa Darkhad" once inhabited these regions.
Sharnuud Darkhad The Sharanuud Darkhad are descentends of ancient
Mongols, who split off from the Tümed, Barga, and Sönid tribes during the 12th century. When
Jochi Khan conquered the forest peoples, many Mongolian tribes were living in the
Darkhad Valley, including the Sharanuud clan. The Sharanuud of the Darkhad trace their lineage to these tribes and venerate their ancestral spirits, represented by the banners of Tsagaadai and Tsankhilkhan.
Khuular Darkhad Khuular clan of the Darkhad people is divided into four subgroups named after colors: Khar, Tsagaan, Ulaan, and Nogoon. The reason for this differentiation lies in the rule prohibiting marriage within the same color group. The Khuular clan is not exclusive to the Darkhad, it is also found in
Tuvans and the
Altaians and its clan
Turkic origin. Members of the Khuular clan first settled in the
Darkhad Valley during the Gokturks conquests in Mongolia and have since remained in areas like the Shishged and Tengis regions of what is now Renchinlkhümbe sum.
Erkhid Darkhad The Erkhit clan of the Darkhad is of
Samoyedic origin and is believed to descend from the people who lived in the Irkutsk region. Members of this group migrated to the Darkhad area during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is said that the city of Irkutsk was named after the Erkhit clan, reflecting their historical presence in the region.
Balagch Darkhad The Balagch clan of the Darkhadi also widespread
Tozhu and
Tsaatan. The clan traces its origins to the
Gokturks,
Medieval Uyghurs, and
Khirgis tribes who lived in the Tannu and Sayan Mountain regions. These tribes often named people or clans based on their livelihood and activities, such as hunting, fishing. The name "Balagch," which translates to "fisherman" reflects this tradition and indicates the clan's association with fishing as a primary activity.
Khorlomai Darkhad The Khorlomai clan of the Darkhad is said to have originated from the "Khorlomai War." The name derives from the term "khorlogchid," meaning raiders or plunderers. According to legend, the Khorlomai were a group of marauders defeated by the Darkhad shaman Noyon Böö near the Tengis River.The story tells of the Khorlomai people, who had never been defeated in battle, encountering Noyon Böö and attempting to kill him using weapons and fire. However, their efforts were unsuccessful. They then decided to take Noyon Böö with them to war. He instructed each warrior to build a raft and float downstream, promising to follow them later. Noyon Böö stayed behind with a pregnant woman, and all the others perished as they floated away. Only the pregnant woman survived, with her son, the Khorlomai clan is said to have descended from that son. The Khorlomai are believed to be descendants of
Tozhu Tuvans people who once lived along the
Khem River in
Tuva Oynod Darkhad The Oynod clan of the Darkhad traces its lineage to the forest people who lived in the Tannu-Sayan Mountains and the Shishged River basin during the 12th–13th centuries. These people are believed to be descendants of the Oirats who remained in the area instead of migrating. Over time, they assimilated with the Darkhad ethnic group, and many began identifying themselves as part of the "Black Darkhad."
Uuld Darkhad The Ööld clan of the Darkhad predominantly resides in the Ulaan-Uul and Bayan-Zurkh sum. They are descendants of those who settled in the area during the Ööld Wars. Battles involving the Ööld occurred in the Shishged region of Renchinlkhümbe, and after Galdan Boshigt Khan's defeat, Ööld families were relocated to the Darkhad territory. An interesting fact is the existence of a small clan known as the Bööguud ("Shamans") in Dörvön soum of Khovd Province in Mongolia. They claim descent from a shaman ancestor and say their roots trace back to Khövsgöl Province, adding to the rich cultural connections of the Darkhad.
Iljgen Darkhad The Iljgen were part of the Uriankhai and were known as the "Iljgen Arvan" (Iljgen Ten). They were under the authority of Düüregch Van and paid a fur tax as tribute. Most members of this clan were involved in dual livelihoods, raising reindeer and engaging in other subsistence activities. They primarily resided in areas such as Khög and Gun rivers of Ulaan-Uul. Interestingly, remnants of the fortress attributed to the "Iljgen Chiht Khan's" can still be found in Guchin Us of
Övörkhangai Province and Khovd sums of
Khovd Province.
Soyon Darkhad The Soyon clan of the Darkhad is divided into two subgroups: Soyon and Khar Soyon ("Black Soyon"). The term "Soyon" is believed to derive from the Mongolian word "shirkh," meaning Insects that come out of dead manure and enter the animal's body suggesting that the clan originally lived in areas with shirkh ancient times This clan is widespread among both the Darkhad and the
Tsaatan. Its lineage traces back to the ancient
Samoyeds Zoot Darkhad The Zoot clan of the Darkhad originated as part of the forest
Uriankhai tribes and later assimilated into the Darkhad ethnicity, becoming one of its recognized clans. Today, the Zoot clan predominantly resides in the Ulaan-Uul region and surrounding areas, continuing to be an integral part of the Darkhad people.
Khaasuud Darkhad The Khaasuud clan of the Darkhad traces its roots to people who historically inhabited the regions around the Shishged and Yenisei Rivers.
Uyghur and Khirgis The Uyghur and Khirgis clans of the Darkhad trace their lineage back to the
Uyghur and
Khirgis tribes who controlled the Tannu-Sayan Mountain region during the 8th–10th centuries.
Maanjrag Darkhad The Maanjrag clan of the Darkhad originates from the Tunkin Alar Buryats. This clan represents people who separated from the Buryats and later integrated into the Darkhad community.In the shamanic chants of the Khori Buryats, an ancestral spirit named Manjilkha is frequently mentioned.
Khariad Darkhad The Khariad clan originates from the Buryatia having migrated from there. However, the Khariad is not considered part of the Darkhad rather, they are classified as
Khalkha.
Mankhialag Darkhad The Mankhilag clan of the Darkhad is recorded in historical accounts, but its exact origins and lineage remain unclear.
Urad Darkhad The Urad clan of the Darkhad traces its origins to the Uruud tribe, which inhabited the regions around the Onon and Kherlen Rivers during the 12th century. This clan is traditionally believed to descend from the lineage of
Khavt Khasar, a younger brother of Genghis Khan, linking them to a significant historical and noble ancestry.
Onkhod Darkhad The Onkhod clan of the Darkhad originates from the ancient
Ongud tribe, who migrated to the Baikal region during the Mongol conquests. They were known to live by trading fur and paying tribute in the form of pelts to Russia.
Chonod and Sönöd The Chonod and Sönöd clans of the Darkhad trace their roots to the
Taichiud and
Khongirad tribes, who also settled in the region during the Mongol conquest. ==See also==