Durbet in Mongolia

The Durbet have only been reported in Mongolia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Durbet are a Western Mongol tribe. They are primarily located in the western part of Mongolia, near the border of Russia. In the early 1600s, most of their ancestors (the Oirat) left their homeland, Dzhungaria, which is now part of the Xinjiang region of China, in hopes of settling in the rich pastures of the northern Caucasus Mountains.

In 1771, the majority of the Oirat decided to move back to Dzhungaria in order to escape the Russian dictatorship. Those who stayed in Russia became known as the Kalmyk, which means "to remain."

Of those who left Russia, only a small group survived the long and difficult journey back to Dzhungaria. Having arrived in the land of their ancestors, the surviving Oirat were accepted under Manchu rule and given pastures for grazing their herds. Their descendants are still found in western Mongolia, as well as in the Xinjiang region and Qinghai province of China.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Durbet, like other Mongols, are known for their love of fine horses and horse racing. In addition to raising horses, most of the Durbet also raise cattle and sheep. Many of the Durbet live as nomads, and their lifestyle is one of seasonal migrations. Their dwellings are portable tents called gers or yurts, made of felt on lattice frames. Their diet includes millet, milk tea, dairy products, mutton, and kumiss, or fermented mare's milk.

Some of the Durbet have become settled farmers. Their principal crops include grains, corn, fodder grasses, mustard seed, sunflowers, and melons.

The Durbet family typically consists of parents and their children. After marriage, the sons move into separate homes located near their parents. In farming areas, some Durbet still live in extended family units, which consist of parents, married sons and their families, and unmarried sons and daughters.

Marriage was formerly a symbol of adulthood among the Durbet. Marriages were arranged by the parents, and a zurkhachi (astrologer) was consulted about the compatibility of a bride and groom. Today, couples usually marry while they are in their early to mid-twenties. Sadly, divorce is becoming more common, and legal abortion is the principal means of birth control.

The typical Durbet dress includes velvet hats, loose fitted coats, and heavily padded long pants. They often shave their heads, except for one small area in the back that is reserved for a pony-tail.

Oral historic poetry is an important part of Durbet culture. It is traditionally recited by a poet, accompanied by a two-stringed lute called a dombr. Favorite pastimes include storytelling, singing, archery, and wrestling.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Durbet, like other Mongols, were traditionally animists (believing that non-living objects had spirits) and shamanists (believing in an unseen world of gods, demons, and spirits). The people depended on shamans (medicine men) to cure the sick by magic, communicate with the gods, and control events.

In the late 1500s, the Durbet adopted Tibetan Buddhism. In the revolution of 1921, "Outer Mongolia" (present day Mongolia) attacked Buddhism as a superstition. Later, shamanistic festivals and Buddhist rituals were restricted. However, the shamans remained very influential. The obo, a heap of stones thought to be inhabited by local spirits, often serves as a site for performing various rituals.

The Durbet traditionally practiced "sky burial." This meant that the deceased was left in a field to be eaten by wild animals. Today, the dead are usually buried in community graveyards.


What Are Their Needs?

Medical facilities among the Durbet are inadequate. Limited water supply, poor hygiene, deficient diet, and alcoholism are all common problems. Christian medical missionaries are needed to live and work among the Durbet, ministering to their physical as well as spiritual needs.


Prayer Points

The Lord has raised up several Mongolian missionaries to go to places Westerners cannot go. Pray that the church would be ready to support these missionaries as that is often the big hindrance.
Pray that God's church in Mongolia would grow in deeper discipleship and greater missions vision.
Pray that God will send Christian medical teams to live and work among these precious people.
Pray that God will raise up teams of intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for the Durbet.
Pray that God will open the hearts of Mongolia's governmental leaders to the Gospel.


Scripture Prayers for the Durbet, Dorwoten in Mongolia.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Durbet, Dorwoten
People Name in Country Durbet, Dorwoten
Natural Name Durbet
Pronunciation DURH-bet
Alternate Names Derbet; Dorbed; Dorbet; Dorvod; Dorwot; Durvud; Durvuud
Population this Country 89,000
Population all Countries 89,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 11645
ROP3 Code 102771
Country Mongolia
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Mongolia
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Durbet, Dorwoten in Mongolia
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
65.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.50 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
28.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Mongolian, Halh (89,000 speakers)
Language Code khk   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Mongolian, Halh (89,000 speakers)
Language Code khk   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Mongolian, Halh

Primary Language:  Mongolian, Halh

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1979-1991)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1990)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2003-2017)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Mongolian, Halh Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mongolian, Halh YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Mongolian, Halh YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Mongolian, Halh Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Jeremy Fields 
Map Source People Group location: Mongolian Traditional Costumes. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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