Batlukh-Gid in Russia
Photo Source:
Василий Петрович ом - Wikimedia
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Batlukh-Gid |
| Country: | Russia |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 31,000 |
| World Population: | 31,000 |
| Primary Language: | Avar |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Caucasus |
| Affinity Bloc: | Eurasian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Batlukh-Gid people live in about 30 villages in the central highlands of the Avar region of Dagestan. These villages are located on both sides of the mountainous Avar-Koisu River. Their language exists in the Avar language family but is so distinct as to be mutually unintelligible from dominant Avar. This region has fiercely practiced Islam for hundreds of years.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Avar Gid (pronounced Geed) woman proudly commented, "We women do almost all the work and the men do almost nothing." "How do you put up with that?" the cultural observer asked. "Oh, if we waited for the men to do the work, then nothing would get done!"
The Batlukh-Gid, as well as all the mountain peoples in Dagestan, separate male and female in society and in work roles. They enforce "transgression" of these strict separate roles by shame. For example, one mountain village in Dagestan is known as "The Village Where a Man Milked a Cow." That is a shameful designation. Women's work covers everything related to the house, the harvest, and the animals. Men's responsibilities include plowing, sowing and cutting hay, and providing security. One objective observer in a Dagestani Mountain village concluded that the strict division of labor leaves about 70% in the women's category and 30% in the men's category. The locals would say, "That's the way it's always been."
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Batlukh-Gid have been fiercely Muslim for hundreds of years. There are no known Christ followers among them.
What Are Their Needs?
The Batlukh-Gid need to see living Christianity in their own culture. As it stands, there are no believers.
Prayer Points
Pray for loving workers to go to the Batlukh-Gid.
Pray for courage among "People of Peace" to respond to the gospel.
Pray for the establishment of an indigenous and reproducing Batlukh-Gid church.
Pray for existing Christ followers in neighboring people to take the gospel to the Batlukh-Gid people.
Pray for God to shower his abundant mercy on the Batlukh-Gid people who are enduring violence in their region. May he protect the innocent.