Chanyu

The title Chanyu ( Chinese  單于  /  单于 , Pinyin chanyu even Shanyu , W.-G. Ch'an-yu, also Shan-yu  - "Chanyu (Shanyu)") led the ruler of the Xiongnu at the time of Han Dynasty in China (206 BC to 220 AD). The meaning in the Xiongnu language may be something like "the greatest"; however, the determination is uncertain due to the lack of classification of the Xiongnu language, and the terms known to us have been handed down by Chinese historians. Classical Chinese historians see the title as a counterpart to the Chinese title "Son of Heaven", which the Chinese emperors carried. As with most nomadic peoples, the title was usually hereditary, but was often adopted by the strongest man of the close family. Joseph Fletcher called this practice "blood tanistry " ( English "blood leader election " ).