Pomak in Italy


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Pomaks are a Slavic people who live in the Balkan region of southern Europe. They are usually considered to be a type of Bulgarian since they speak a Bulgarian dialect, have Bulgarian features, and have cultural practices similar to the Bulgarians. They are distinguished, however, by their non-Bulgarian names and their devotion to Islam, rather than to Orthodox Christianity. The Pomaks probably converted to Islam in the 1370s. Tradition says that they did not voluntarily accept Islam, but were forced to do so. As time went by, they gradually began to adopt various Muslim customs, such as the veiling of women.

The name Pomak means "people who have suffered." Throughout history, they have been considered the outcasts of Bulgarian society. In 1948, the Communists began to remove people they thought to be disloyal to their regime. By 1950, the Pomak were the new target. Eventually, 30,000 people were moved across the border into northeast Greece and Macedonia, while others immigrated into Romania.

In addition to speaking Rhodope (Bulgarski), some of the Pomaks have adopted Macedonian or Greek as a second language. For many years, they lived isolated from other peoples of the area. However, during the last century, modernization has forced them to come into contact with the outside world.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Pomak economy is based on agriculture. Their major crops include rye, barley, corn, potatoes and tobacco. Raising animals such as cows, goats, and sheep is also very important. Pomak women are renowned for their excellent weaving abilities. Many Pomaks also earn their income as migrant workers. The Pomak diet primarily consists of bread, potatoes, and beans. They also enjoy yogurt, various cheeses, lamb, and goat meat.

The Pomak farmers live in rural villages that are surrounded by their fields and pastures. The houses were traditionally constructed of stone, wood, and clay, with sloping slate roofs. Recently, however, some Pomaks have begun to build homes out of brick or cinder block, with ceramic tile roofs.

Traditionally, Pomak marriages are arranged between the families of the prospective bride and groom. The wedding occurs when the couple reaches their mid to late teens. Before marriage, the bride prepares her own dowry, which consists of household items and clothing. Although Islamic law allows a man to have as many as four wives, polygamy was never frequent among the Pomaks and is currently prohibited by Greek law.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pomaks are virtually all Muslim, and their religion makes up an integral part of their ethnic identity. Yet, among most Pomaks there is an absence of traditional Islamic practices. Their language even lacks many religious words vital to the Islamic faith and traditions. Muslim saints are practically unknown to the Pomaks, while the feast days of various Christian saints continue to be observed.

Weddings and other ceremonial occasions often combine Muslim and Christian traditions. Fasting during Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic year) and other Muslim rituals were once observed. However, today, these customs have largely disappeared. The relative isolation of the Pomaks from other Muslims has allowed the mixing of beliefs to continue unhindered for centuries.


What Are Their Needs?

The Pomak have an identity crisis. They have been rejected by both the Bulgarians (and their religion), and the Turks (and their language).

Many cults have also infiltrated Bulgaria, trying to win the hearts and minds of the people.

The Pomaks need the Gospel. They also need people who will begin to faithfully intercede for them, tearing down the strongholds that are keeping them in spiritual bondage. Only then will their hearts be prepared to receive the Good News as it is presented to them.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Pomaks would find their lost identity in Jesus.
Pray for Christian pastors to be raised up and trained among the Pomaks.
Ask God to give Pomak believers creative ways of witnessing, such as using Christian weddings and holidays.
Pray for student outreach among the Pomaks.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers to work among the Pomaks.
Ask God to create a hunger within the hearts of the Pomaks to know the Truth.
Pray that God will give the small number of Pomak believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.
Ask God to raise up teams of intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for the Pomaks.
Ask the Lord to bring forth vigorous churches among the Pomaks for the glory of His name!


Scripture Prayers for the Pomak in Italy.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet  

People Name General Pomak
People Name in Country Pomak
Pronunciation PUM-ok
Alternate Names Bulgar
Population this Country 2,400
Population all Countries 494,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14436
ROP3 Code 108104
ROP25 Code 306776
ROP25 Name Pomak
Country Italy
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Italy
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bulgarian
Language Code bul   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Pomak
Dialect Code 8445   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bulgarian
Language Code bul   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Pomak
Dialect Code 8445   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bulgarian

Primary Language:  Bulgarian

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1823-1995)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1840-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1864-2017)
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 Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bulgarian Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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: Bulgarian YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Bulgarian YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Jeffrey Haglund 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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