Nasri People

The Nasri are an ethnic minority in Central Asia, descended from the Sino-Syriacs who were expelled from the Ming Dynasty.

The Nasri migrated into the area of Pamir, and were subsequently conquered by the armies of Muslim Russia. The Russians recognized them as dhimmis, and afforded them a protected status. However, the Nasri were well known for their militant attitudes, and were quick to assist the Russians in their wars against China.

The Nasri speak the Nasri language, a dialect of Chinese with significant input from Eastern Iranian. As well, the Syriac language is significant as a liturgical language among their communities, as is the Iranian Nasri language, an Eastern Iranian language descended from Sogdian that was used for many exgesises of the Bible, as well as other works intended for direction at laymen. Most Nasri are bilingual in Russian.