Kazakh in Ukraine


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Traditionally, the Kazaks were semi nomadic, equestrian tribal people who roamed the Ural Mountains and the regions of northern and Central Asia. As several of the clans formed a federation for mutual protection, they took on an ethnic identity of their own. Kazakh ethnic identity accelerated during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Since then, Kazakhs have preserved their culture in part by keeping an epic tradition of oral history. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the annexation of Central Asia by Russia and the Soviet Union respectively resulted in many Kazakhs fleeing the steppes to Europe and Asia including Ukraine. Since 1991, the government of Kazakhstan, as part of their nation building strategy, has actively supported the return migration of "oralman," (the Kazakh word for those in diaspora), by offering incentives to lure them into settling in Kazakhstan. As a result, one million ethnic Kazakhs have repatriated to their ancestral homeland including those from Ukraine.


What Are Their Lives Like?

As nomads and herders roaming the steppes in the early times, tribalism formed the basis of their society and tribes consisted of family members and family elders. Arranged marriages and inter-tribal marriages helped them maintain peace and gave them a sense of security. In the modern world, one can see tribalism slowly fading in business or government and everyday life. Nonetheless, ethnic Kazakhs, when they meet one another, still tend to enquire the tribe they belong to. As the Kazakhs dispersed during the Soviet collectivization, over time, the diaspora Kazakhs embraced the language and traditions of the land they emigrated to. Kazakhs of Turkmenistan speak both Kazakh and Russian at varying levels. Many of these former nomads have moved to cities like Kiev and live in houses or small apartments, taking up low paid jobs. No matter where they live, the Kazakhs enjoy their traditional cuisine along with that of the host country. Besbarmak is a traditional Kazakh food, made with lamb. Rice, potatoes, noodles, and bread are common staples. Those who practice Islam do not drink alcohol, but they have tea with almost every meal. Kazakhs extend great hospitality and are open to external influences. They consider it to be an offence to decline an invitation to dine at their homes. Their social occasions are marked with lavish feasts and singing in groups. Dombra and kobyz, two of the traditional musical instruments, are popular among Kazakhs. Western style dress is common among Kazakh men and women living in cities. However, rural Kazakhs often wear loose, colorless shirts with baggy trousers that are tied at the waist, like the ones they wore in the steppes. The structure of the Kazakh family is patriarchal, or male-dominated, but this is gradually changing, especially in cities like Kiev. Such changes have caused a breakdown in the traditional Kazakh family. However, Kazakhs still retain an extremely hierarchical view and people of age and high position are given great respect and honor.


Because of their nomadic pastoral lifestyle, Kazakhs kept an epic tradition of oral history.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kazakhs are Sunni Muslims and the second largest Muslim group of Central Asia.  Their Islamic practices are combined with traditional folk religions such as shamanism, animism and ancestor worship. Many Kazakhs continue to consult shamans (priests who communicate with the spirits). They also practice traditional rituals before and after marriage, at birth and at death. Many of them wear protection beads and talisman to ward off the evil spirits and the evil eye. Since 1818 missionary efforts by various Christian organizations has borne fruit among the Kazakhs. Today, the entire Bible is available in the Kazakh language. There was a great push to reach Kazakhs in Kazakhstan in the 1990s, but not so much for the Kazakhs in Ukraine.  Ukraine is still one of the most religiously free nations of Eurasia. Even though the Russian Orthodox Church holds a prominent position as a Christian institution, the Evangelical Church has seen steady growth with the churches sending hundreds of missionaries to Russia and Central Asia. Western missionaries are heavily scrutinized while the missionaries from within country are free to share the gospel and plant churches. These Ukrainian believers can reach the Muslim Kazakhs.


What Are Their Needs?

Poverty is widespread and unemployment rates are high among Kazakhs and other Central Asian people in Ukraine. Corruption and bribery affect their everyday life. Kazakhs in Ukraine need job training and better education so they can thrive economically.  


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Kazakhs in Ukraine. Pray for the Kazakh people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods. Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Kazakh people to change their society from within. Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples. Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Kazakh communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Kazakh in Ukraine.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Kazakhs of Central Asia

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Kazakh
People Name in Country Kazakh
Pronunciation KAH-zahk
Alternate Names Gazaqi; Hazake; Kazax; Qazaq; Qazaqi; कॅज़ॅक
Population this Country 4,200
Population all Countries 16,737,000
Total Countries 24
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 12599
ROP3 Code 104791
ROP25 Code 303856
ROP25 Name Kazakh
Country Ukraine
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Ukraine
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.04 %)
0.20 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
65.80 %
Non-Religious
34.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kazakh (4,200 speakers)
Language Code kaz   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kazakh (4,200 speakers)
Language Code kaz   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kazakh

Primary Language:  Kazakh

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1989)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-2008)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1993-2014)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kazakh Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Kazakh Bible Video (Kieli Kitap 2010) General / Other
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kazakh YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Kazakh YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation - Russia
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Kazakh Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source Petar Milošević - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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