Mari, High in Russia

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

Introduction / History

Hundreds of years ago the Finnic Mari people lived along the Volga and Kama rivers. Almost half of Maris today live in the Mari El republic, and most of the others either live in Bashkortostan or the Tatarstan republics.
They were controlled by the Mongols in the 13th century. Their land was taken by Ivan the Terrible's Russian Empire in 1552. As the Russians subdued them, sent settlers to take their land, and forced them to become Orthodox, the Mari moved further east into Bashkortostan. The Soviet Era brought more Russian settlers and greater efforts to squelch Mari culture. The High Mari began to revive their culture starting in the 1990s after the USSR dissolved.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The High Mari have their own cuisine, costumes, music, and dancing. These are usually tied in with their traditional religion.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though they are officially Orthodox Christian, the High Mari have a strong pagan past. Their religion is shamanistic and connected with the spirits of the land. They still have ceremonies in sacred groves, some of which involve animal sacrifice. These ceremonies have a feeling of mysticism. The High Mari wear costumes that they believe will give them good luck and protect them from evil spirits.


What Are Their Needs?

Russia's High Mari people need to put their hope in Jesus Christ to defend them from evil forces.


Prayer Points

Pray for many to put their trust and identity in Jesus Christ rather than their shamans.
Pray for the Lord to show himself powerful to the High Mari people, leading them to the savior who offers life to the full.
Pray for loving and bold workers to go to the High Mari people.
Pray for High Mari disciples to make more disciples in a culturally sensitive way.


Scripture Prayers for the Mari, High in Russia.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mari_people
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-sight/wp/2016/02/11/the-forgotten-mari-pagans-of-the-volga/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mari, High
People Name in Country Mari, High
Pronunciation mah-REE
Alternate Names Cheremis; Cheremiss; High Mari; Mari
Population this Country 24,000
Population all Countries 24,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 12093
ROP3 Code 103768
ROP25 Code 305209
ROP25 Name Mari (Russia)
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Mariy-El Republic: Nizhegorodskaya Oblast’; south of the Volga.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Mariy-El Republic: Nizhegorodskaya Oblast’; south of the Volga..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.


Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
90.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
10.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Mari, Hill
Language Code mrj   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Mari, High
Dialect Code 13725   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Mari, Meadow Russian: South Russian
Primary Language Mari, Hill
Language Code mrj   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Mari, High
Dialect Code 13725   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Mari, Meadow
  Russian: South Russian
People Groups Speaking Mari, Hill

Primary Language:  Mari, Hill

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1821-2006)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1824-2014)
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024