Tindi in Russia

Tindi
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Tindi
Country: Russia
10/40 Window: No
Population: 10,000
World Population: 10,000
Primary Language: Tindi
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Translation Started
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
People Cluster: Caucasus
Affinity Bloc: Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Tindi hail from the high mountains of extreme southwestern Dagestan. The central town of the Tindi people is picture-postcard famous throughout southern Russia. Its multi-tiered levels of homes and winding village streets command a dynamic view of surrounding snow-capped mountains. The distinct Tindi language is spoken in 14 villages in this mountainous region of Dagestan.
After 1813 their homeland became part of Russia. In 1944 part of the Tindi were moved by the communists to Chechnya, and it negatively influenced their culture.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Their trade is cattle production and farming. They grow wheat, vegetables and make things of leather, wood and wool. The decisions of their village are made by the priest or mullah along with the elders. They meet together every Friday in the mosque for their business in a type of court based on the shariat, which has the laws the Muslims live by.
The husbands are the head of their families, and the wife is respected as a mother. Obedience of children to their parents and elders is very important. The Tindi villages are well known for religious and secular education in Dagestan. They believe they have to improve their physical perfection and spirituality. Many well-known scientists and theologians in the Muslim world came from Tindis. From this nation comes scientists, teachers, doctors and specialists. They value knowledge highly.
There was report of a gospel relationship with a young Tindi university student (whom we’ll call Tadzh-utdin) in a city of Dagestan. Under the great stresses, oppressions and pressures of Muslim Dagestan, this link in recent years has been lost.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tindi have followed Sunni Islam for many centuries, in conjunction with ancient nature worship of the sun, moon and other created things. So far, the only spiritual hope for the Tindi has been by trying to do enough by Muslim laws or by trying to appease animistic spirits. How much simpler it would be to turn from sinfulness and receive the gift of grace freely offered through Jesus.

What Are Their Needs?

At this time there are no known believers among the Tindi. They need a gospel witness from within their culture and language.

Prayer Points

Pray that God’s Spirit will bring conviction of sin to Tadzh-utdin and the Tindi people. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, being forgiven as a gift through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” Romans 3:23-24.
Pray for weariness with futile religious striving, and for joy to break out from the marvelous grace of Jesus.
Pray for loving Christian linguists/ethnographers to honor the complex Tindi language and become “bridge people” into Tindi communities. Two redemptive linguistic efforts hope to connect with Tindi culture representatives.
Pray for a Korean team about to move into Dagestan hoping to open up relationships with the Tindi people.
Pray for the Tindi people to be protected from the widespread violence in their part of the world.

Text Source:   Joshua Project