The Chuvash speak a unique Turkic language. Their Turkic ancestors lived in central Siberia, dwelling in the Irtysh Basin starting at the end of the third millennium BC. They are associated with the Bulgar tribal federation. The Mongol Empire disrupted their lives in the 1200s. The Russians conquered their land in 1552 and demanded tribute. The Chuvash lost most of their land and their wealth. They worked for the Russians in the timber industry and on barges for many years. Russians have maintained control over the Chuvash ever since.
The Russians never fully made them culturally Russian, but the Chuvash were forcefully moved towards Russian ways. The Chuvash had a revival of their language and culture in the 18th and 19th century which was squelched by the Russians during the 20th century. The Russians tried to force them into a Russian Orthodox mold in the 19th century before trying to force them into atheism during the 20th century. The Chuvash people kept their language after the fall of the USSR in 1991, but Russian is a key language for them.
Today the Chuvash people live mainly in Russia, where their homeland is located. They also live in the other countries of the Russian Federation, including Uzbekistan.
Chuvash families are small, but they are often larger in rural areas. Men and women marry any time between the age of 18 and 24. The women have full-time jobs as well as doing housework.
Most Chuvash are farmers who produce potatoes, wheat, rye, hemp, hops, dairy products, poultry, and meat. Their diet is rich in root vegetables and grains. They pickle some of their vegetables for the winter, especially sauerkraut. They eat soups, rye bread, and, above all, porridge. The Chuvash people make their porridge from buckwheat or millet.
Despite obstacles, the Chuvash still have their own cultural forms. They love embroidery, sewing, woodworking, ceramics, and making goods with beads and silver. They have their own epic tales, fairy tales, songs, legends, and skits. Weaving the gospel message into Chuvash art forms would be a good way to open spiritual doors.
The Chuvash are mostly Russian Orthodox, though some have preserved their ancient shamanistic practices. A small minority is Sunni Muslims because of their contact with the Tatars hundreds of years ago. Those in Uzbekistan are surrounded by Muslims.
The Chuvash people need their own identity as a people. More importantly, they need the chance to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray for Chuvash fellowships in Uzbekistan to be centered on Christ rather than tradition.
Pray there will soon come a day when the Chuvash people will send loving workers to unreached people groups.
Pray for spiritual hunger and a discernment that will keep the Chuvash away from spiritual counterfeits. May they be led to put their faith in Christ alone.
Pray for Chuvash disciples to make disciples in Uzbekistan.
Scripture Prayers for the Chuvash in Uzbekistan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuvash_people
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chuvash
https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/modern-europe/russian-soviet-and-cis-history/chuvash
https://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Chuvash-History-and-Cultural-Relations.html
https://dbpedia.org/page/Chuvash_people
https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/330635-chuvash-pagans-tatarstan
https://archaeology.nsc.ru/en/publications/jr-aeae-en/11-39-1/annot-15/
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Chuvash |
People Name in Country | Chuvash |
Alternate Names | Bolgar; Bulgar |
Population this Country | 14,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,111,000 |
Total Countries | 9 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 2 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 11382 |
ROP3 Code | 102226 |
ROP25 Code | 301793 |
ROP25 Name | Chuvash |
Country | Uzbekistan | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 21 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Samarqand and Toshkent regions. Source: Ethnologue 2020 |
Country | Uzbekistan |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 21 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Samarqand and Toshkent regions.. Source: Ethnologue 2020 |
No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.
Primary Religion: | Christianity |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 1.00 %) |
38.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
32.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
30.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Chuvash (14,000 speakers) |
Language Code | chv Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Chuvash (14,000 speakers) |
Language Code | chv Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Chuvash |
Primary Language: Chuvash
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1820-1996) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1904-2009) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (2009-2018) |
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 | DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible | DAVAR Partners International |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Chuvash | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or 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: Chuvash | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Chuvash | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | IBT, Russia - resources | Institute for Bible Translation - Russia |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |