Expanded PDF Profile

The Chamalal people live in 14 villages in the high mountains of extreme western Dagestan. They also live in 8 more villages across the ridge in the adjacent mountains of southeastern Chechnya. They speak their distinct Chamalal language.

Weddings are really big events for the Chamalal people. It is the place to find a Chamalal wife during two leisure days of dining and dancing. Hundreds of young adults attend these weddings, hoping to find the ideal mate. Even Chamalal people from distant cities come to these events.

They are Sunni Muslims and proudly so; however, their Islam is tainted with folk beliefs.

All Chamalal people consider themselves proudly Muslim and follow traditional Sunni Islam mixed with ancient animistic practices. To date, there are no known Chamalal followers of Christ.

The Chamalal need workers to go to them to share the gospel in the Chamalal language and within the Chamalal culture.

Pray that the rich but harsh heritage of Chamalal culture will be graced with the mercy of Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit.
Pray that trained linguists will befriend the Chamalal people and honor their ancient complex language, and in so doing open the door for Chamalal oral recordings as well as a Bible translation.
Pray that young Chamalal will connect with Dagestani followers of Jesus in urban areas and become messengers to their own people.
Pray for open, responsive hearts for those who hear the gospel.
Pray for the establishment of an indigenous and reproducing Chamalal church.

Scripture Prayers for the Chamalal in Russia.