Chukchi in Russia

The Chukchi have only been reported in Russia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

For centuries the Chukchi people have hunted wildlife in the tundra like wilderness along the Bering Sea. Summer temperatures barely make it above freezing and winter temperatures remain well below zero for months.

They were also great warriors. Death was so common that they did not consider it a tragedy. When someone was too old to be productive, they either committed suicide or they were killed.

After taking over the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Soviet Union tried to “civilize” them with education and communal economic activities. Their life expectancy grew as well as their literacy rate. Then the USSR dissolved and Russians began to leave the area. Reindeer herding farms and other Soviet led communal activities dissolved. Many Chukchi were forced by circumstances to seek employment in other parts of Russia, though most remain in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug or the Sakha Republic.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today the Chukchi people who live in their traditional homeland are most likely to work in the service industry. Most things they need must be transported for hundreds or even thousands of miles, so the cost is high. Traditional jobs such as reindeer herding and walrus hunting are still in decline. There are a few who continue working with reindeer or hunt whales and walruses, but they are few and far between.

The industrious, artistic Chukchis skillfully carve bone objects. Their culture considers songs and dances as an integral part of their traditions. They value education and literature very highly.

Most live in permanent homes that have various colors to make them stand out in the tundra environment.

Russia is using their minorities to fight the war with Ukraine. These people, including the Chukchi, have much a much higher casualty rate than ethnic Russians.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Chukchi practice a traditional ethnic religion which includes animistic elements. Only a small number of Christ followers exist amongst the Chukchi. It is easy to understand why missionaries and others have overlooked the Chukchi people since better-known cultures surround them.


What Are Their Needs?

The Chukchi need workers to share the gospel in their Chukchi language and within their culture.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord will send loving ambassadors of Christ to help the Chukchi people develop sustainable ways to earn a living.
Pray for the distribution of the available Chukchi audio Bible and gospel recordings as well the translation of the Bible into the Chukchi language.
Pray for open, responsive hearts among the Chukchi when hearing the gospel.
Pray for the establishment of a viable, indigenous and reproducing Chukchi church.


Scripture Prayers for the Chukchi in Russia.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukchi_people
https://www.rbth.com/politics_and_society/2016/08/24/the-chukchi-who-are-the-people-of-russias-freezing-northeast_623729
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/02/24/2-years-into-ukraine-war-russias-ethnic-minorities-disproportionately-killed-in-battle-a84170
https://www.rbth.com/history/332331-russia-cossacks-chukchi-chukotka-war


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Chukchi
People Name in Country Chukchi
Pronunciation CHUCK-chee
Alternate Names Chukchis; Chukot
Population this Country 16,000
Population all Countries 16,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 11378
ROP3 Code 102211
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Chukchi and Koriak Autonomous Counties.   Source:  Red Book Russian People Profiles
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Chukchi and Koriak Autonomous Counties..   Source:  Red Book Russian People Profiles
Map of Chukchi in Russia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.25 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
85.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
11.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Chukchi (16,000 speakers)
Language Code ckt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Chukchi (16,000 speakers)
Language Code ckt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Chukchi
Photo Source Magadan - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: SIL / WLMS. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024