Chamalal in Russia

Chamalal
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Chamalal
Country: Russia
10/40 Window: No
Population: 9,800
World Population: 9,800
Primary Language: Chamalal
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Unspecified
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
People Cluster: Caucasus
Affinity Bloc: Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

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 own distinct Chamalal language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

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.

What Are Their Beliefs?

All Chamalal people consider themselves proudly Muslim and follow traditional Sunni Islam mixed with ancient animistic practices. Pray that the rich but harsh heritage of Chamalal culture will be graced with the mercy of Jesus and the Fruit of the Spirit. To date there are no known Chamalal believers.

What Are Their Needs?

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

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord’s Prayer to be translated into the Chamalal language, distributed and embraced.
There is a translation effort for oral Bible materials (two books of the Bible) into their language. Pray for accuracy and for the project to not be interrupted.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out the right people to befriend members of the Chamalal community, opening the door for gospel witness.
Pray for the Lord’s merciful protect for this people group that lives in a strife-ridden land.
Pray for Satan’s efforts to kill, steal and destroy in Dagestan will turn thousands to the Throne of Grace.

Text Source:   Joshua Project