Tsaatan in Mongolia

Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Tsaatan
Country: Mongolia
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 200
World Population: 200
Primary Language: Tuvan
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Ural-Siberian
Affinity Bloc: Turkic Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Dukha or Tsaatan are a Turkic people of reindeer herders who live in northern Khovsgol Aimag in Mongolia. Tsaatan means those who have reindeers in Mongolian. They speak Tuva and Mongolian.

They follow Tengrism as their religion. They worship creation and ancestors and believe the ghosts of ancestors live as animals and give guidance. They have religious books. The Dukha were originally from the Tuva part of Russia. They live as people did many years ago.

The Dukha are one of only a few reindeer herding peoples. Reindeers are of the utmost importance to them. They live on reindeer produce which are milk, yogurt and cheese. They use reindeer for transport and for carrying items and really look after them and treat them as part of the family. Adults and children alike train the reindeers.

The Dukha are nomadic and move about a lot, which can be an obstacle to the gospel. They live in portable round tents that are called yurts made mostly from tree bark. They sleep on the ground on skins and their yurt always includes a stove. They also hunt wild animals for food for themselves.

Prayer Points

Pray that ways are found to give the Dukha the gospel message.
Pray that they will be shown the Bible and replace their religious books with it and that they will come to Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Anonymous