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haidian
Xinjiang and Gansu (Liqian) are neighbouring.
Persian relations date back past 200BC, but the tale of the Persians settling in China I think is sometime around 600AD. The Romans apparently were in the area around the same time, and one tale (not verified) states a legion may have settled around 50BC.
It's quite possible, while the Tajiks of China have a Persian origin that there is some long lost Roman blood in there too. Depending on who copulated with who over the years.
As you know… People don't simply "come from the mountains".
edit on 12-1-2014 by boncho because: (no reason given)
I don't think Roman legions could've travelled this far into China.scientists found Caucasian looking mummies in Xinjiang desert which can date back to almost 4,000 years ago. and those first Xinjiang settlers maybe have some direct descedants still live in Xinjiang.
en.wikipedia.org...
The children, aged between six and 17 years-old, live in Pili, a village of some 400 herders and farmers high up in the foothills that separate China from Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
But their school lies some 120 miles away, 50 miles of which are inaccessible to vehicles and have to be crossed on foot, or by camel.
"There is only one way to get to the village, and you have to climb up in the mountains," said Su Qin, the head teacher at Taxkorgan Town boarding school, where the children study. "The village is completely cut off. The roads only take you further away," she added.
So, four times a year, before and after the summer and winter terms, a group of teachers sets off to escort the children on the journey. It takes at least two days and one night of trekking, and the children sometimes arrive at the school as much as a week after the beginning of term.
The most dangerous part of the route is a path, which narrows to just a few inches wide, that has been cut into a cliff face some 1,000ft above the valley beneath. Without safety harnesses, the teachers gingerly shepherd their charges along.
Further along, there are four freezing rivers to wade across, a 600ft-long zip-line to slide down, and bridges that are just a single plank wide. Teachers often carry the younger children on their backs, but some have fallen in the rivers in the past, without serious injury.
"Actually the parents think it toughens the kids up, and gives them good experience," said Ms Su. "However, some of the parents are reluctant to let their children go to school. They are so cut off from the world they do not appreciate the importance that having knowledge will play in their children's lives." She said there had not been any accidents during the trips, which have run for the past two years, since the modern, three-floor school was built. "We make sure that it is always a responsible group of teachers and local officials that go, and they take good care of the children," she said.
"It is actually safer in winter because they can walk on the frozen river. They do not need to climb up the mountains and detour," she added. "Sometimes they can ride on the camels too." Ms Su said she had two boys from Pili in her music class at the school, and that both of them quite enjoyed the adventure of the trip.
"One of the boys is eleven and very talented at music, although less talented academically. He is definitely a leader. Even though he is the smallest kid in the class, he has the most authority. Both the boys are quite confident, in fact."
Guo Yukun, the local Communist party secretary, told China Central Television (CCTV) that a road is now under construction to the village. However, because of the difficulty of the terrain, it is not expected to be finished until late 2013.
"Our main task is to get these 80 primary and middle schoolchildren out of Pili village [and bring them to the school] safely. Our national policy is to make sure children have a free education. So the teachers take good care of them," he said.
Another official, named Sa'dan, admitted, however, that there are usually some jitters before the trips. "If anything happens to the children on the way, how could we face their parents?" he said.
Galadriel
Does anyone see a special "something" in the faces of these kids?
They positively glow with life and shine with joy.
I looked through all the pics a couple times and I am amazed at the look in these children's eyes.
Beautiful.
AlphaHawk
reply to post by nugget1
It would appear their ancestry leads back to mediteranean Caucasians.
According to this WIKI article.
Interestingly, I found an article about a Chinese village that has descendants back to the Romans.
Link
They too have Caucasian characteristics.
edit on 12-1-2014 by AlphaHawk because: (no reason given)
The Pamiris share close linguistic, cultural and religious ties with the people in Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan, the Sarikoli speakers in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County in Xinjiang Province in China, the Wakhi speakers in Afghanistan and the Wakhi speakers in Upper Hunza Gojal region of Northern mountainous areas of Pakistan. In the Pamiri languages, the Pamiris refer to themselves as Pamiri or Badakhshani, a reference to the historic Badakhshan region where they live.
In China, Pamiris are referred to as ethnic Tajiks. In Afghanistan, they are recognized as ethnic Pamiris, and the Afghan National Anthem mention Pamiris (پاميريان Pāmiryān) in the list of ethnic groups of Afghanistan.
nugget1
reply to post by haidian
They don't look ME either . The blue, blue eyes, and blond haired ones almost look Nordic. In some, you can see oriental and middle eastern traits, but I don't think they were the ancestors. The Caucasian gene seems too dominant....interesting.