The Balkar people are traditionally mountain-dwellers. For centuries, the Muslim Balkar people have lived in the highlands of the Caucasus Mountains (southern Russia) in the province of Kabardino-Balkaria, shepherding their flocks and their livestock. They resisted Russian domination for many years. The scarcity of usable land forced many to move to the cities of Central Asia such as Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The Balkar originally lived in homes made of mud and wood. Today, their houses are built with brick or stone and have tile or slate roofs. The homes usually have two stories and most have porches.
The life of a shepherd has never been easy. In ancient times, we read of the shepherd boy David, who fought against wild animals to save his flock. It's never-ending, strenuous work. Expanding their property to accommodate increased herds is something shepherds strive for, since a man's fortune is ranked by the number of cattle or sheep he owns. This livelihood is passed from father to son, beginning at a very young age.
Others live in an urban landscape of Bishkek.
There is a small group of believers among the Sunni Muslim Balkar people. In 1957 Ibrahim became the first Balkar believer. He found Jesus while living in a foreign land under the deportation of Stalin. It would be another 32 years until another Balkarian would come into the Shepherd's fold--in 1989--and a third became a follower of Jesus in 1991 as the Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union was torn down. Several adolescents have prayed to receive Christ at summer camp but have no ongoing Christian influence in their lives.
The small group of Christians struggles to develop Christian practices in a culture where every aspect of life, from birth, to marriage, to death, is governed by folk-Islamic and Balkar traditions.
Ask the Lord to send loving Russian Christians to minister Life to their Muslim neighbors.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of the Balkarian people towards faith in Christ.
Ask God to call forth teams of intercessors who will rise up and faithfully stand in the gap for the Balkar.
Pray for the salvation of key Balkar leaders who will boldly proclaim the gospel.
Scripture Prayers for the Balkar in Kyrgyzstan.
NCRP
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Balkar
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Other PDF Profile |
People Name General | Balkar |
People Name in Country | Balkar |
Pronunciation |
ball-KAR
|
Alternate Names | Alan; Karachai; Karachay |
Population this Country | 1,400 |
Population all Countries | 130,000 |
Total Countries | 5 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 10608 |
ROP3 Code | 100852 |
Country | Kyrgyzstan | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Country | Kyrgyzstan |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
2.03 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
97.97 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Karachay-Balkar | |||
Language Code | krc Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Karachay-Balkar |
Language Code | krc Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Kyrgyz | |
Russian | |
People Groups | Speaking Karachay-Balkar |
Primary Language: Karachay-Balkar
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1978-1995) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1994-2020) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | 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 |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Karachay-Balkar | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Karachay-Balkar | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Karachay-Balkar | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | IBT, Russia - resources | Institute for Bible Translation - Russia |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |