Udege in Russia

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

Introduction / History

The Udege or Udekhe people live in and near the city of Khabarovsk, Siberia, Russia. Khabarovsk is located 30 kilometers north of the Chinese border. The Udege used to practice a semi-nomadic lifestyle taking care of reindeer. The Russian Empire took over the area where the Udege live in 1858.

Under Soviet rule, many of the Udekhe were resettled. Now there exist nine Udekhe villages all located some distance apart. With the threat of industry and development, the Udekhe are fighting for control over their traditional territories along the Bikin River in an effort to save their land, their culture and their language from becoming obsolete.

No Christian resources are available In the Udege language.


What Are Their Lives Like?

There a danger that over the next few decades that the Udege people will be absorbed into the Russian majority population of Siberia. Young people prefer to speak Russian and do not want to learn Udege, the language of their grandparents. Many young people are marrying outside their people. Many of these children of these unions are not learning the customs and ways of the Udege.

The Udege work in Russian factories, mines, refineries and in the logging industry. Some Udege still trap fur bearing animals as did their ancestors. Some hunt and fish to obtain food. Women plant vegetable gardens and gather berries during the short Siberian summers.

Alcoholism is a major issue for many indigenous people in Russia.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Udekhe worship the Spirit of Taiga and practice shamanism and animism. Only a tiny fraction of the Udege claim to be followers of Christ. After years of Soviet education, some Udege are secular with no religious affiliation.

Some Udege cling to their old beliefs. These Udege believe that spirits inhabit the rivers, mountains, animals, rocks, sky and trees. These spirits can bring harm upon the people if they are not appeased by rituals, offerings and prayers. The village shaman holds a high place in Udege society. He distributes charms and amulets to ward off the influence of the evil spirits.

It is common for indigenous peoples like the Udege to associate Christianity with the white European Russians.


What Are Their Needs?

The Udege must understand that material prosperity will not bring them the happiness and peace of mind that they seek. The Udege need to see the love of God demonstrated to them in practical ways. Only Christ can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Ask God to preserve the language and culture of the Udege people.

Pray that God will send workers to live among the Udekhe and share the good news of Jesus Christ with them.

Ask God to open the hearts and minds of the Udege people to believe and accept the truth of Jesus Christ.

Ask God to establish a strong, healthy church in each of the nine Udege villages in this decade.

Pray that there will soon be gospel recordings and Bible portions available in the heart language of the Udege.


Scripture Prayers for the Udege in Russia.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udege_people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Udege
People Name in Country Udege
Alternate Names Udygeins
Population this Country 1,300
Population all Countries 1,300
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 15683
ROP3 Code 110359
ROP25 Code 308423
ROP25 Name Udekhe / Udege
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Khabarovskiy Kray: Lazo area, Gvasiugi settlement, Arsenievo settlement; Primorskiy Kray: Pozharsky area, Krasny Yar, Olon, and Sobolinyi settlements; Ternei area, Agzu settlement; Krasnoarmeisky area, Roschino, Dalniy Kut, and Melnichnoye settlements; Siberia far east.   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 Khabarovskiy Kray: Lazo area, Gvasiugi settlement, Arsenievo settlement; Primorskiy Kray: Pozharsky area, Krasny Yar, Olon, and Sobolinyi settlements; Ternei area, Agzu settlement; Krasnoarmeisky area, Roschino, Dalniy Kut, and Melnichnoye settlements; Siberia far east..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
15.00 %
Ethnic Religions
78.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
7.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Russian
Language Code rus   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Udihe
Primary Language Russian
Language Code rus   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Udihe
People Groups Speaking Russian

Primary Language:  Russian

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1815-1993)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1821-1991)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1875-2023)
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 Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
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 Russian Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Peoples of the Red Book  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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