Adyghe in Türkiye (Turkey)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Other PDF Profile

Introduction / History

Adyghes are one of the remaining tribes of a larger Muslim people group known as Circassians. The Adyghes lived in the North Caucasus region of Southern Russia for more than a thousand years. They were conquered by ethnic Russians during the Caucasus War (1817-1864). Due to the war, in the late 19th Century at least one million Circassians fled from Russia controlled areas to lands inside the Ottoman Empire. These regions include Turkey and the Middle East.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Adyghe culture has at its core the values of respect, hospitality and reverence for elders. Their identity and code of conduct come from an ancient system of rules, etiquette, and ethos known as Khabzeh. According to Khabzeh, a host is expected to give his life to protect his guests. In return guests are expected to be gracious and behave in a way that honors the host. Although the Adyghe people still regard the North Caucasus as their sacred home, a majority live outside the region. Some Adyghe still live in southern Russia. But at least 10 times that many in diaspora locations, especially in Turkey and the Middle East. Folk dances offer insight into Adyghe culture and customs. These dances tell stories about everyday life such as courtship, preparing for war, the harvest, and displaying of strength. The stories preserve Adyghe ancient history, and they are predecessors to Greek mythology, containing ancient stories of gods from southern Russia. Traditionally, Adyghe parents chose the spouse of their children. As Turkey increasingly joins the modern world, young people are choosing their own partners. Before modern times. Adyghe families were large with many children. Now parents are having fewer children as many mothers work outside the home. Many Adyghes continue to work in agriculture. Turkey is a leading exporter of nuts, fruits and vegetables. Young Adyghes are moving to the cities to work in manufacturing, construction, education and retail. Adyghe parents encourage their children to get a college degree and enter the professions. Many Adyghes are caught between observing their ancient traditions and adapting to the modern world.


It's very difficult to access the Adyghe people in Turkey.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Ninety eight percent of all Adyghes claim to be Sunni Muslim. Only a tiny group claims to be followers of Jesus Christ. Most Adyghe were nominal Christians from the 10th to the 17th Centuries. In the past two decades there has been a resurgence in Adyghe ethnic identity. Sunnis try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. Sunnis believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and making idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

Few if any of the Adyghes have heard a clear presentation of the gospel. Believers will have to build friendships with the Adyghes and then share the good news. Adyghes will need to see the love of Christ demonstrated to them in practical ways.


Prayer Points

Pray for God to speak to Adyghe elders in dreams and visions revealing Isa and his plan of salvation. Ask the Lord to send workers to the Adyghe to tell them the good news. Pray for a movement of house church planting among the Adyghes in Turkey. Pray for wide distribution of the Azeri Bible among the community.


Scripture Prayers for the Adyghe in Türkiye (Turkey).


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Adyghe
People Name in Country Adyghe
Pronunciation AH-di-gay
Alternate Names Cherkess; Circassian; Circassian, West; Kjax; Lower Circassian; Shapsug
Population this Country 359,000
Population all Countries 681,000
Total Countries 11
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
People ID 10161
ROP3 Code 100079
ROP25 Code 300058
ROP25 Name Adyghe
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 Central and western Anatolia, Kayseri, Tokat, Karaman Maras, and many other provinces.   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 Central and western Anatolia, Kayseri, Tokat, Karaman Maras, and many other provinces..   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 Adyghe
Language Code ady   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Turkish
Primary Language Adyghe
Language Code ady   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Turkish
People Groups Speaking Adyghe
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Withheld by request  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024