Kyrgyz in Russia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The historical relationship between the Kyrgyz and the Russians is not a happy one. In the early nineteenth century, the Kyrgyz were defeated by the Uzbeks. This, along with other intertribal conflicts, led them to ally with the Russians. As the Russians began colonizing the Kyrgyz and other surrounding groups, they seized the best agricultural lands. This competition for land, along with mandatory service in the Russian army, resulted in a revolt by the Kyrgyz in 1916. It was a futile attempt in which they were disastrously defeated. During Stalin's attempt to control the economy from 1927 to 1928, the Kyrgyz who raised livestock were forced to re-settle on collective and state farms. Many responded by killing their livestock and moving to western China. Between 1926 and 1959, the Soviet administration moved many Russians and Ukrainians into Kyrgyzstan, making the Kyrgyz a minority within their own homeland. Under the Soviets, previously self-sufficient Kyrgyz families became trapped in the Soviet economy. With production efforts being controlled by the communist party, the products they made were sent to other republics and foreign markets. The Kyrgyz soon became dependent on foreign manufactured goods.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Thousands of Kyrgyz have fled their home country to Moscow to find work. Even those who are well educated often must settle for hard labor, long hours and low pay. They send most of the money home to Kyrgyzstan. They work without permits or medical care. Many share small apartments with other migrant laborers. Like other Central Asian people, the Kyrgyz are often looked down upon by the Russians. The Kyrgyz in Russia often turn to drugs or alcohol.


Another ministry obstacle is their long-held allegiance to Islam and their belief in black magic.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Consecutive waves of Islamization have taken place since the Arabs first invaded Talas in 751 when many Kyrgyz tribes were still in Siberia. Northern nomadic tribes were able to skirt many of the Islamic traditions until recently. Within the last two hundred years, the majority of the Kyrgyz had been completely converted to Islam. Today, almost all Kyrgyz in Russia consider themselves to be Muslim; however, they hold onto some shamanistic practices. (Shamanism is the belief that there is an unseen world of many gods, demons, and ancestral spirits that must be dealt with through a shaman). Many people still turn to mediums and seers to cure sickness with magic, communicate with spirits, and control events. Almost all Kyrgyz believers have to go through a breaking of demonic powers over their lives once they decide to follow Christ. The Kyrgyz epic hero Manas has taken on god-like status among some Kyrgyz. His story reveals many practices and beliefs of the pre-Islamic Kyrgyz. There have been some comparisons made between the biblical "Manasseh son of Jacob" (Genesis 48) and the Kyrgyz "Manas son of Jakyb. "


What Are Their Needs?

They Kyrgyz people in Russia need hope. True hope comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ, mankind's guide to life. They also need job training so they can earn better wages.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Kyrgyz people in Russia to have hearts that are open to the abundant blessings of Christ. Pray for Kyrgyz families to prosper financially and spiritually as they experience a relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for a movement to Christ among the Kyrgyz that will spread joy, peace and salvation to other Muslim peoples. Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to this harvest field in Russia. Pray for the Kyrgyz culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.


Scripture Prayers for the Kyrgyz in Russia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kyrgyz
People Name in Country Kyrgyz
Pronunciation KUR-gheez
Alternate Names Kara; Ke'erkezi; Kirghiz; Kirgiz; Kur-guhz; कयरग्ज़
Population this Country 138,000
Population all Countries 5,897,000
Total Countries 14
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
People ID 12933
ROP3 Code 105550
ROP25 Code 304510
ROP25 Name Kyrgyz
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.70 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
90.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kyrgyz (138,000 speakers)
Language Code kir   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kyrgyz (138,000 speakers)
Language Code kir   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kyrgyz

Primary Language:  Kyrgyz

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1982-2016)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1991-2005)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1995-2011)
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 Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kyrgyz Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kyrgyz YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Kyrgyz YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation - Russia
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source Theklan - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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