Lezgin in Azerbaijan


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

Other PDF Profile

Introduction / History

The dynamic young Lezgin man, imitating the eagle, fell to his knees, leapt up and twirled with rapid foot movements, with his outstretched arms swooping above him. Nearby, but not touching him, the gracious Lezgin woman, with demure hand movements and light artistic footwork, appeared to be floating across the floor as she responded symmetrically to the male dance. Celebrating a village wedding, the two were dancing the Lezginka, the world-famous dance with its origins in the Lezgin people of the eastern Caucasus region. Or, perhaps, they were dancing the Lezginka on the stage of a packed-out theatre in front of 1000s in London or Munich or Moscow. The ancient folk dance of the Lezgin people expresses the proud history and cultural dynamism of the Lezgins of southern Russia and northern Azerbaijan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In the 90 Lezgin towns and villages of Dagestan the Lezgin raise sheep and goats, combined with subsistence agriculture, leather working, and textile production [famous hand woven carpets]. Life is similar in the more than 50 Lezgin towns and villages of northern Azerbaijan; with the exception that in Dagestan Russian serves as the 2nd language, whereas Azeri is the second language for Lezgi in Azerbaijan. The Lezgi language, however, is alive and well—with robust oral activity in Lezgin villages, homes, and schools; and a huge reservoir of Lezgi literature and music. Many Lezgin have also out-migrated from rural Lezgin regions to urban areas of Dagestan and Azerbaijan, primarily for economic reasons. Patriarchal social structure among the Lezgin remains strong, especially in village life and in demarcated urban enclaves.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Islamic power swept into the Caspian seacoast region of the Lezgin people already in the 7th and 8th Centuries and has carried huge influence into Lezgi society over the past 1000 years. By the end of the 18th Century, the Lezgin people were considered 100% Muslim. Spiritism and animistic practices are also widespread in Lezgin culture. Rags are tied on holy trees or near holy graves to seek spiritual assistance for health or marriage or economic good fortune. Soothsayers are frequently consulted.


What Are Their Needs?

As epitomized in the majestic Lezginka, there is a nobility in ancient Lezgin culture. This, however, as elsewhere in the world, does not leave the people immune to the effects of sinful human nature. And neither spiritism nor Islam provides the cleansing forgiveness of Jesus or the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. In the past two decades there are now more than 75 Lezgin followers of Jesus in Dagestan, and more than 100 Lezgin believers in Azerbaijan. Pray for their influence to spread and multiply. Of great significance is progress in Lezgi Bible translation. The Four Gospels and Acts and a Children's Bible have been published in Lezgi, and sixteen additional NT books are in process. From the OT, Ruth, Esther and Jonah have been published, and ten more OT books are in process. There is a strong Bible translation team, including Lezgin believers. This work connects with the heart of Lezgi language and culture. An ancient text in a Lezgi tribal language, from pre-Islamic times, even contains Bible translation portions.


Prayer Points

Pray that the best of noble Lezgin culture will be infused with the regenerating power of Jesus' grace.
Pray for the Lezgin believers to shine as bright lights in the midst of their Lezgi families and clans.
Pray for men and women of peace in each one of the more than 142 Lezgi towns and villages, to be keys to welcoming the love of God, the grace of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit into each Lezgi community.
Give thanks for the Translation work which is underway. Pray for wide reading and spiritual understanding.
Pray for many Lezgin people to dance, full of the joy of the Holy Spirit, in the years to come.


Scripture Prayers for the Lezgin in Azerbaijan.


References

https://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Lezgins-History-and-Cultural-Relations.html
https://everything.explained.today/Lezgins/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Lezgin
People Name in Country Lezgin
Pronunciation LEZ-ghin
Alternate Names Lezghi
Population this Country 366,000
Population all Countries 893,000
Total Countries 9
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
PeopleID3 13049
ROP3 Code 105742
Country Azerbaijan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Qusar and Zachmaz districts: Russian Federation border area; Caucasus southern slopes of main chain.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Azerbaijan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Qusar and Zachmaz districts: Russian Federation border area; Caucasus southern slopes of main chain..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam (Sunni)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.90 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Lezgi (366,000 speakers)
Language Code lez   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Lezgi (366,000 speakers)
Language Code lez   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Lezgi

Primary Language:  Lezgi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2010–2014)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2018)
Bible-Complete No
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 Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Lezgi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Lezgi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Пак Калам Аялриз (Lezgi Children's Bible) Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App Android Bible app: ПАК КАЛАМ лезгидал- (Holy Scripture in Lezgi) Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Lezgi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Пак Калам Аялриз (Children's Bible in Lezgi) Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App iOS Bible app: ПАК КАЛАМ лезгидал (Scriptures in Lezgi) Institute for Bible Translation
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation
Photo Source Jose Luis Cernadas Iglesias - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bryan Nicholson / cartoMission  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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