Kazakh in Russia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Kazakhs of Russia belong to a larger group of people who live primarily in present day Kazakhstan. Traditionally the Kazakhs were semi nomadic, equestrian tribal people who roamed the Ural Mountains and the regions of North and Central Asia of Eurasia. Only people of the Kazakh ethnic group are called Kazakhs, while the term Kazakhstani refers to the people of Kazakhstan, inclusive of all ethnic groups living in the country. Kazakhs developed a distinct ethnic identity in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. As several of the clans formed a federation for mutual protection, they took on an ethnic identity of their own. Through the years the Kazakhs closely preserved their culture by keeping an epic tradition of oral history. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the annexation of Central Asia by Russia and the Soviet Union respectively, resulted in many Kazakhs fleeing the steppes to Europe and Asia, with many later becoming citizens of those countries. A small number of Kazakhs live in Eastern European countries like Lithuania, Czechia, Ukraine, and a larger number are in Russia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

As the Kazakhs dispersed during the Soviet annexation, the diaspora Kazakhs, over time, embraced the language and traditions of the land they emigrated to. Most of the Kazakhs in Russia speak Russian, though they might speak Kazakh at home. Most Kazakhs in Russia live in an urban environment in houses or small apartments, taking up low paying jobs. Western style dress is common among urban Kazakhs. The Kazakhs in Russia eat mainly the foods of the host country, but they also have their own cuisine. Besbarmak is a traditional Kazakh food, made with boiled lamb. Rice and bread are common staples. They have tea with almost every meal. The structure of the Kazakh family is patriarchal, or male-dominated, but this is gradually changing, especially in urban Russia. Such changes have caused a breakdown in the traditional Kazakh family. However, Kazakhs still retain an extremely hierarchical view. Elderly people and those with high positions are given great respect and honor.


Because of their nomadic pastoral lifestyle, Kazakhs kept an epic tradition of oral history.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kazakhs are Sunni Muslims and are the second largest Muslim group of Central Asia. Islam was first introduced to them in the early eighth century. Their Islamic practices are combined with traditional folk religions such as shamanism, animism and ancestor worship. Even now many Kazakhs continue to consult shamans (priests who communicate with the spirits). They also practice traditional rituals before and after marriage, at birth and at death. Many of them wear "protection" beads and talismans to ward off the evil spirits and the evil eye. Since 1818 missionary efforts by various Christian organizations has borne fruit among the Kazakhs. Today the entire Bible and other resources are available in the Kazakh language.


What Are Their Needs?

Kazakhs in Eastern Europe need job training so they can flourish in an urban environment. They also need the chance to hear and respond to the Risen Lord.


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Kazakhs in Russia. Pray for the Kazakh people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods. Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Kazakh people to change their society from within. Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples. Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Kazakh communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Kazakh in Russia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Kazakhs of Central Asia

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Kazakh
People Name in Country Kazakh
Pronunciation KAH-zahk
Alternate Names Gazaqi; Hazake; Kazax; Qazaq; Qazaqi; कॅज़ॅक
Population this Country 590,000
Population all Countries 16,898,000
Total Countries 24
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 12
PeopleID3 12599
ROP3 Code 104791
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.01 %)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
65.90 %
Non-Religious
34.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kazakh
Language Code kaz   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kazakh
Language Code kaz   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kazakh

Primary Language:  Kazakh

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1989)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-2008)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1993-2014)
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
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kazakh Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Kazakh Bible Video (Kieli Kitap 2010) General / Other
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 Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kazakh YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Киелі Кітап (Kazakh Bible) General / Other
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Kazakh YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Kazakh Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Photo Source Petar Milošević - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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