Kyrgyz in China


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Islam (Sunni)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

In AD 751 the Chinese armies were defeated by the Arabs in a significant battle at Talas, in what is now Kyrgyzstan. One historian wrote, "This encounter was one of the most fateful battles in history. It marked the end of Chinese control over Central Asia. It also marked the beginning of Arab conquest of Central Asia. Soon the area was permanently converted to Islam." By the early 830s the Kyrgyz had clashed with the Uyghurs for control of Central Asia and defeated them. In 1944 the Chinese Nationalist government ordered the closure of many Kyrgyz pasture lands, under the pretext of "border security." The Kyrgyz, outraged at losing their livelihood, formed a government that gave birth to the Puli Revolution.

In the 1950s the Kyrgyz were granted status as one of China's official minority groups. The name Kyrgyz means "44 lasses." The Kyrgyz believe they are descended from 44 maidens. The Kyrgyz in China still retain their tribal identities.

Kyrgyz is a Turkic language. They used to have their own script, called the Yenisei script, until it was lost in the eighth century. No trace of it remains today. The Kyrgyz language in China contains two dialects: Northern and Southern Kyrgyz. Both dialects have the same vocabulary but employ different pronunciations.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kyrgyz have a famous epic, the Manas, that describes their past. The Manas is a virtual encyclopedia describing the customs, habits, and philosophies of the Kyrgyz, as well as recording their struggle for independence and freedom. Most Kyrgyz in China are involved with the production of carpets, horse gear, cloth, and wool.


Another ministry obstacle is their long-held allegiance to Islam and their belief in black magic.
What Are Their Beliefs?

In reality, although they are outwardly Muslims, most Kyrgyz follow a form of shamanism and black magic, where power through seductive signs and wonders is exerted. Demonstrations of this evil power are often aired on public television in Kyrgyzstan. The snake god, in particular, is held in great fear.

Swedish missionaries in Xinjiang listed 163 baptized believers by 1933, "mostly Uighurs and Kyrgyz, with some Chinese." In 1933 the missionaries were arrested and brought before Abdullah Khan, who "personally kicked and beat them. He threatened to kill them, claiming that their religious teaching was destroying the faith of many of his people." Most of the new Kyrgyz believers were murdered. Those whose lives were spared were imprisoned for many years. There are just a few known believers among the Kyrgyz in China today, although some ministries are focusing on them.


What Are Their Needs?

Without the guidance of Christ, these people are like sheep without a shepherd. They need the good shepherd in their families and communities.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.

Pray for "thrust out" workers.

Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.

Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Kyrgyz in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kyrgyz
People Name in Country Kyrgyz
Pronunciation KUR-gheez
Alternate Names Kara; Ke'erkezi; Kirghiz; Kirgiz; Kur-guhz; कयरग्ज़
Population this Country 238,000
Population all Countries 5,982,000
Total Countries 14
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
PeopleID3 12933
ROP3 Code 105550
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Approximately 140,000 Kirgiz were counted in the 1990 Chinese census. In addition, 2.23 million Kirgiz live in their new homeland, Kyrgyzstan. Others live in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and in a small refugee community in Turkey. In China, 80% of the Kirgiz are located in more than 20 counties within the Kizilsuu Prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Approximately 140,000 Kirgiz were counted in the 1990 Chinese census. In addition, 2.23 million Kirgiz live in their new homeland, Kyrgyzstan. Others live in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and in a small refugee community in Turkey. In China, 80% of the Kirgiz are located in more than 20 counties within the Kizilsuu Prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Map of Kyrgyz in China Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam (Sunni)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.18 %)
0.20 %
Ethnic Religions
4.99 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.81 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kyrgyz
Language Code kir   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kyrgyz
Language Code kir   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kyrgyz

Primary Language:  Kyrgyz

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1982-2016)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1991-2005)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1995-2011)
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 Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kyrgyz 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 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: Kyrgyz YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: The Bible in Kyrgyz Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Kyrgyz YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Ыйык Китеп (Kyrgyz Bible) Institute for Bible Translation
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Photo Source Theklan - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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