Avar, Dagestani in Russia

People Name:	Avar, Dagestani
Country:	Russia
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	1,012,000
World Population:	1,132,700
Primary Language:	Avar
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.01 %
Evangelicals:	0.01 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Caucasus
Affinity Bloc:	Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Avars call themselves Ma'arulal (by translation—"free mountaineers, who inhabit the highest lands"). The Ma'arulal speak their own distinct Avar language. Avar people of Dagestan represent the largest linguistic group of Dagestan, and historically the most powerful. Honor/shame represents a high code, deeply ingrained in the Avar cultural psyche. It may play out in blood or through ostracism of the offending party. This truth prevails throughout all 34 of the Dagestani people groups but is perhaps most pronounced in the Avar due to their powerful, leading role in the culture of Dagestan.
Indeed, Imam Shamil, arguably the most famous Dagestani in history, was Avar. Imam Shamil was a powerful Muslim religious leader in the 1st half of the 19th Century who led the political and military resistance to Russian conquerors from 1834-1859. Shamil accomplished one daring exploit after another to baffle Russian military battalions of Tsarist Russia. Defense of Dagestani and Avar honor was the leading theme of these dozens of battles. The Russians finally subdued the Avar people (and all of Dagestan) in 1864, but the code of honor among the Avar has never diminished. In Post-Soviet Dagestan, the Avar (and secondarily the Dargin) carry the primary political power in the internal province [Republic] of Dagestan in southern Russia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Avar carry many amazing ancient cultural strengths, capped by their intense sense of honor. One strength not found in Avar culture is grace. The absence of grace—i.e. forgiveness, tolerance, mercy, the Fruit of the Spirit—has left the Avar (and all of Dagestan) vulnerable to intense cycles of violence on many levels. Present-day Dagestan is beset by increasing cycles of violence between Muslim power factions—squelching trade, tourism, and economic well-being. Hope of grace is springing up among the Avar. There are now more than 50 Avar believers. The New Testament has been completed in the Avar language.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Dagestani Avar predominantly practice Islam mixed with their traditional religious practices.

What Are Their Needs?

The Dagestani need workers to share the gospel in their Avar language and to help disciple the new believers.

Prayer Points

Thank God for the new believers among the Avar—Pray for their number to increase and for them to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Pray for workers to go to the Avars in each Avar town and village.
Pray for Avar Bible and other resources to be distributed among the Avars.
Pray for the establishment of a viable, indigenous and reproducing Avar church.