The Guhjali, also known as the mountain Tajiks, are of the Tajik people cluster. They are also called the Guhiali, Khik, Vakhan, Wakhani, Wakhi, Wakhigi, or Wakhs.
The Guhjali are found in China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, they are found in small, remote villages in the lower altitudes in the Wakhan Corridor and upper Badakshan. They mostly reside in 64 villages on the left bank of the Panj River in the Wakhan Corridor.
The Kirghiz live in the high mountain valleys of the area, while the Wakhi lived in the lowlands areas. Relations between the two groups are often tense, yet both groups are economically dependent on each other. The Kirghiz depend on the Wakhi for grain, while the Wakhi depend on the Kirghiz for animals. The center of the areas where they reside is Khandud. Many have scattered and are refugees now. They speak Wakhi, and Indo- Iranian language. The literacy rate is below 1%.
The Guhjali are Ismaili Shi'a Muslims. Some, however, are Imami Shi'a and Sunni. There are few, if any, Christians or churches among them. There are no known groups working among them. There are Christian audio recordings available in their language.
Scripture Prayers for the Khik (Wakhi) in Afghanistan.
Profile Source: The World Missions Atlas Project |
People Name General | Khik (Wakhi) |
People Name in Country | Khik (Wakhi) |
Pronunciation |
keek (WAH-kee)
|
Alternate Names | Guhjali; Khik; Vakhan; Wakhani; Wakhigi; Wakhs; गुहजली |
Population this Country | 22,000 |
Population all Countries | 124,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18693 |
ROP3 Code | 103535 |
Country | Afghanistan | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 9 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Badakhshan province: Wakhan district, Panj river area to Sarhad village; Khandud village is the center. 42 villages. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Afghanistan |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 9 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Badakhshan province: Wakhan district, Panj river area to Sarhad village; Khandud village is the center. 42 villages.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Religion Subdivision: | Shia Imami Ismaili |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Wakhi (22,000 speakers) |
Language Code | wbl Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Wakhi (22,000 speakers) |
Language Code | wbl Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Wakhi |
Primary Language: Wakhi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2001) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | IBT, Russia - resources | Institute for Bible Translation - Russia |
Photo Source | Robertino Radovix - Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Video Source | Asia Harvest |
Profile Source | The World Missions Atlas Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |