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Khitan people facts for kids

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Khitan people
MongolHuntersSong.jpg
Khitans
Regions with significant populations
northeastern Asia
Languages
Khitan language
Religion
Animist
Taoism
Buddhism
Islam
Related ethnic groups
Mongol people

The Khitan (say: KEE-tan) people were a group of nomadic people who lived in northeastern Asia. They were active from the fourth century onwards. Their homeland was in areas that are now Mongolia, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East.

The Khitans spoke the Khitan language. This language is quite similar to the Mongolic languages spoken by the Mongols.

Who Were the Khitans?

The Khitans were a strong and important group of people. They were known for their skills in horse riding and hunting. Being nomadic meant they often moved from place to place. They followed their herds and found new pastures for their animals.

Where Did They Live?

The Khitan people lived in a large area of northeastern Asia. This region included parts of modern-day Mongolia and China. It also stretched into what is now the Russian Far East. This vast land offered them space for their nomadic lifestyle.

What Language Did They Speak?

The Khitans had their own language called Khitan language. They also developed two writing systems for it. These were the Khitan large script and the Khitan small script. These scripts helped them record their history and culture. Their language is related to the Mongolic language family.

The Powerful Liao Dynasty

Around the year 907 AD, the Khitans became very powerful. They established a large empire called the Liao dynasty. This dynasty ruled over a vast territory in East Asia for more than 200 years. The Liao dynasty was a major power in the region. It often interacted with other empires, like the Song dynasty in China.

How They Ruled

The Liao dynasty was unique because it ruled over both nomadic and settled people. The Khitans kept their nomadic traditions. But they also adopted some ways of governing from the Chinese. They had a dual system of government. One part managed the Khitan people and their traditions. The other part managed the settled Chinese population.

Daily Life and Culture

Life for the Khitans involved a mix of nomadic and settled activities. They were excellent horsemen and hunters. Falconry, which is hunting with trained falcons, was a popular activity. Their art often showed scenes of hunting and daily life.

Art and Architecture

The Khitans created beautiful art, including paintings and murals. These artworks often decorated their tombs. They also built impressive structures. A famous example is the Pagoda of Fogong Temple. This tall wooden pagoda was built during the Liao dynasty. It shows their skill in architecture.

Their Beliefs

The Khitan people had several religious beliefs. Many followed Animism, which means they believed spirits lived in nature. They also adopted Taoism and Buddhism. Later, some Khitans also practiced Islam. This mix of religions shows how their culture changed over time.

What Happened to the Khitans?

The Liao dynasty eventually fell in 1125 AD. This happened because of attacks from other groups, like the Jurchens. After their empire fell, some Khitans moved west. They formed a new empire called the Qara Khitai (or Western Liao dynasty). This empire lasted for about 90 years. Over time, many Khitans blended into other groups, like the Mongols and Chinese. However, their legacy as a powerful nomadic people remains important in history.

Images for kids

  • Lady Wenji's Return to China, by Chen Juzhong

    Khitan Chinese painting by Chen Juzhong (fl. 1195-1224)

  • Liao Stone Tomb Mural (13969751709)

    Liao dynasty tomb relief of Khitans and their baggage cart

  • Liao Dynasty in 1025

    Liao dynasty in 1025

  • 南宋 傳陳居中 胡騎春獵圖 團扇-Nomads hunting with falcons MET DP153514

    Khitan falconers in a painting by Chen Juzhong, early 13th c.

  • Liao Painted Wood Panel (14153112351)

    Khitan women, painted on wood

  • Liao circuits

    The Liao dynasty in 1111 AD.

  • Western Liao

    The Qara Khitai empire in 1169 at its greatest extent

  • KhitanUB

    Khitan inscription dated 1058 (清寧四年) found in Dornogovi. Written in Khitan large script.

  • The Fugong Temple Wooden Pagoda

    The Pagoda of Fogong Temple, built in 1056.

  • 騎射圖

    Yelü Bei

  • Khitans

    Horsemen

  • Rest Stop for the Khan part1

    Horsemen at rest

  • Zhangfangshan Liao tomb mural H

    Khitans holding wrapped up banners, maces, and drums

  • Halahaichang Liao tomb mural A

    Khitan mace man

  • Halahaichang Liao tomb mural B

    Halahaicheng tomb mural

  • Halahaichang Liao tomb mural C

    Halahaicheng tomb mural

  • Halahaichang Liao tomb mural D

    Halahaicheng tomb mural

  • Cooking, mural from Tomb in Aohan, Liao Dynasty

    Cooks

  • Horse leading, mural(part) from Tomb in Aohan, Liao Dynasty

    Hairstyle

  • Preparing for hunting, mural from Tomb in Aohan, Liao Dynasty

    Hunters

  • KhitanMural

    Boys and girls

  • Pao-Shan Tomb Wall-Painting of Liao Dynasty (寳山遼墓壁畫：寄錦圗)

    Women

  • Pao-Shan Tomb Wall-Painting of Liao Dynasty (寳山遼墓壁畫：頌經圗)

    Women

  • Liao Dynasty Fresco of a Woman from Pao-shan Tomb (寶山遼墓)

    Woman

  • Parure funéraire féminine. Liao (907 – 1125). Musée Cernuschi

    Liao funerary mask and crown

  • Dinastia liao, parure funeraria, 1100-1125 ca. 02

    Liao funerary mask and crown

  • FuneraryMaskLiao10thcentury

    Liao funerary mask and crown

  • A Kara-Khitan man

    Ming dynasty depiction of a Khitan

Related pages

See also

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