Dahae

The Dahae (Latin: Dahae; Ancient Greek: Δάοι, Δάαι, Δαι, Δάσαι Dáoi, Dáai, Dai, Dasai; Sanskrit: Dasa),Daae, Dahas or Dahaeans were a people in ancient Central Asia, a confederation of three tribes: the Parni, Xanthii and Pissuri. They lived in a region on the south-eastern shores of the Caspian Sea (in modern Turkmenistan). The area has consequently been known as Dahestan, Dahistan and Dihistan. Relatively little is known about their way of life. For example, according to A. D. H. Bivar, the capital of "the ancient Dahae (if indeed they possessed one) is quite unknown."

According to most sources, the Dahae polity dissolved before the beginning of the 1st millennium, when some its constituents emigrated to Persia, South Asia and/or other parts of Central Asia. However, Sir Percy Sykes reported an oral tradition suggesting that elements of the Dahae had been absorbed into Turkmen society. "I was informed that the Daz tribe of the Yamut [or Yomut] cherish a legend, according to which they are descended from kings, and among the Yamut Turkoman they are regarded as the noblest section. [...] It is at least possible that these names are derived from the Dahae, but it would be a mistake to press the point too far."