Although the Akto Turkmen are considered part of the Kirgiz nationality, their language and customs are more closely related to that of the Uygur. They claim originally they came from Samarkand, which lies in present-day Uzbekistan. The Akto Turkmen are a unique ethnolinguistic group. Their customs and physical features are also distinct from all other groups in Xinjiang.
The history of the Akto Turkmen is uncertain. They claim to have migrated long ago from Samarkand to their present location in China. The Akto region is a part of China that has been rocked with conflict. In April 1990 an "armed counter revolutionary rebellion" occurred in Baren Township of Akto County. "There were over twenty deaths, mainly of members of Islamic minorities. Later in 1990 ... fifty mosques were closed down and the construction of 153 others was halted."
These people are skilled shepherds and goatherds despite the harsh landscape where they must raise their animals. Their clothing, food, and housing all reflect their seminomadic, pastoral lifestyle. The diet of the Akto Turkmen consists mainly of animal by-products, complemented with cabbage, potatoes, and onions. They store their butter in dried sheep or cattle stomachs.
The Akto Turkmen are Sunni Muslims who observe both Uygur and Kirgiz religious festivals, along with some rituals they have retained from their pre-Islamic religion of shamanism. Most Akto Turkmen can read the modified Arabic script used by their Uygur neighbors.
No record exists of any mission work being conducted among the small but proud Akto Turkmen people group. They are strongly bound to their Islamic beliefs, which form their ethnic identity, and to their own ancient form of shamanism and black magic. Few Akto Turkmen have had the opportunity to hear the gospel and intelligently respond to the claims of Christ. Probably the best opportunity for the Akto Turkmen to hear about Christ is through the Uygur gospel radio broadcasts that have aired in the region for the past several years.
Scripture Prayers for the Akto Turkmen in China.
Profile Source: Operation China, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
People Name General | Akto Turkmen |
People Name in Country | Akto Turkmen |
Pronunciation | Ahk-toe Turk-men |
Population this Country | 2,900 |
Population all Countries | 2,900 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | |
People ID | 18389 |
ROP3 Code | 113982 |
Country | China | ||
Region | Asia, Northeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 17 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | They live in two large villages, Kosarap and Oytak, south of Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Source: Operation China, 2000 |
Country | China |
Region | Asia, Northeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 17 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | They live in two large villages, Kosarap and Oytak, south of Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.. Source: Operation China, 2000 |
Primary Language | Uyghur (2,900 speakers) |
Language Code | uig Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Uyghur (2,900 speakers) |
Language Code | uig Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Uyghur |
Primary Language: Uyghur
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1898-1995) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1914-2005) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1950-2018) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio |
Audio Recordings | Xush Hewer Uyghur audio Bible |
Film / Video | Beware! |
Film / Video | God's Story video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Uyghur |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels |
Film / Video | More Than Dreams-Ali |
Film / Video | My Last Day video, anime |
Film / Video | The Prophets' Story |
General | Biblical answers to your questions |
General | Gospel resources links |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Uyghur |
Text / Printed Matter | Download scripture in this language |
Text / Printed Matter | Muqeddes Kitab |
Text / Printed Matter | Uyghurche Muqeddes Kitab Jemiyiti |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
10.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
90.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Christian Segments ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Anglican |
Unknown
|
Independent |
Unknown
|
Orthodox |
Unknown
|
Other Christian |
Unknown
|
Protestant |
Unknown
|
Roman Catholic |
Unknown
|
Photo Source | Paul Noll |
Map Source | Joshua Project / Global Mapping International |
Profile Source | Operation China, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |