Abkhaz in Türkiye (Turkey)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Other PDF Profile

Introduction / History

Most of the world's Abkhazians live in the nations of Russia and Georgia. However, a significant community can be found living in Turkey. While they are scattered throughout much of the country, the largest concentration of Abkhazians is located along the Black Sea coast in north-central Turkey.

In the fifteenth century, Ottoman Turks conquered the Caucasus Mountain region of Russia and Georgia. At that time, many of the native Abkhazians converted from Christianity to Islam. The Russians, however, gradually took control of the region, and by the late 1800s, they dominated the Muslim Abkhazians. Feeling threatened by Christian Russia, many Abkhazians accepted an offer of refuge from Muslim Turkey and moved there. In recent years, Abkhazians have begun to be assimilated into mainstream Turkish culture and, as a result, are in danger of losing their identity as a separate ethnic group in Turkey.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Little is known about the lives of Abkhazians in Turkey; however, it is known that they have retained much of their identity. They have somewhat conserved their Caucasian traditions, and unlike even in the Caucasus (or in Europe), they have preserved their caste system, and still resist assimilation. In addition, Abkhazians have retained their native tongue, which is one of the most complex languages on earth. This language has more than 50 consonants, with numerous pronunciations for each one. Because of the difficulty of their own language, the Abkhazians are adept at learning other languages.

The great majority of Abkhazians are farmers and livestock producers. Tobacco is their major crop, but tea, fruits, and vegetables are also grown. Cattle production is another important aspect of the Abkhazian economy. Because of their livelihood, nine out of ten Abkhazians live in rural areas. Their houses are built of brick or concrete and have either one or two stories. Most homes have verandas and balconies, where families enjoy spending time in good weather.

Most Abkhazian women marry in their early twenties, but men often wait until their thirties or even forties. Marriage is forbidden with all possible relatives; individuals are not allowed to wed anyone with the same surname as any of their grandparents. In the past, the young man and his friends kidnapped the young woman and took her to his house, where the marriage ceremony was performed. Whether or not the bride was abducted, her family does not attend the wedding. She is required to stand silent and secluded while her husband's family feasts and celebrates.

The Abkhazian highly value hospitality. A guest is given the same respect as a father or grandfather and is seated at a place of honor at the table. The arrival of a guest is accompanied by a ritual feast. Over wine, hosts and guests go through rounds of toasts, honoring each other and getting to know each other better. Providing hospitality in this way is a source of family pride.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although most of the Abkhazians of Russia and Georgia are Christians, those in Turkey are Muslims, at least nominally.


What Are Their Needs?

The Abkhazians of Turkey desperately need to hear of the Savior. Turkey is officially a secular state with a limited amount of religious freedom. Therefore, Christians are not completely free to share their faith.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to call Christian Abkhazians from Russia and Georgia to share Christ with their brothers in Turkey.
Ask the Lord to soften the hearts of Turkey's governmental leaders towards the preaching of the Gospel.
Ask the Lord to save key leaders among Abkhazians who will boldly declare the Gospel.
Pray that Christian literature and media will be made available to Abkhazians.
Ask God to raise up intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Abkhazians.
Pray that strong local churches will be raised up among the Abkhazians.


Scripture Prayers for the Abkhaz in Türkiye (Turkey).


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Abkhaz
People Name in Country Abkhaz
Pronunciation AHB-kahz
Alternate Names Abkhazian; Abxazo; Abzhui; Apswa; Bzyb; Ubyx
Population this Country 167,000
Population all Countries 189,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
People ID 10130
ROP3 Code 100018
ROP25 Code 300015
ROP25 Name Abkhaz
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 50  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Northeast, Artvin Province; also Coruh, Bolu, and Sakarya subprovinces.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 50  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Northeast, Artvin Province; also Coruh, Bolu, and Sakarya subprovinces..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
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 Abkhaz
Language Code abk   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Turkish
Primary Language Abkhaz
Language Code abk   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Turkish
People Groups Speaking Abkhaz

Primary Language:  Abkhaz

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1912-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2015)
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Film / Video Jesus Film: View in Abkhaz Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Apsuwara - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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