11,000 in China (Salminen 2007). Population total all countries: 17,130. Ethnic population: 30,500 (2000 census).
Nei Mongol Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hulunbuir banners; Ewenki, Moriadawa, Oronchon, Chen Bargu, Arong, Ergune East, and Huisuomu; Heilongjiang Province, Nale prefecture; a few in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality: Ewenki.
Aoluguya (Olguya), Chenba’erhu (Old Bargu), Haila’er, Huihe (Hoy), Morigele (Mergel). Standard dialect is Huihe. Dialectal differences within Evenki are small and the case for regarding Evenki and Orochen as separate languages is weak (Salminen 2007).
Other speakers in the area also use Evenki. All domains. Very few children except among the Khamnigan. Positive attitudes. Bilinguals use Mandarin Chinese [cmn] as L2. Written Chinese used as literary languages. Farmers use Chinese. Also use Mongolian [mvf]. Written Mongolian used as literary language. Herdsmen use Mongolian as L2. Also use Daur [dta], Oroqen [orh]. Used as L2 by Daur [dta], Oroqen [orh].
Ethnic autonym: Solon in China, but also now use the official name Ewenke. Traditional religion, Buddhist (Lamaist).