Laz in Germany


Population
Main Language
Laz
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Laz live off the southeastern edge of the Black Sea in a region known as Lazistan. Today, the area is divided between Turkey and the Republic of Georgia. In Turkey, the Laz live scattered throughout the country, but many have migrated to larger cities for financial and educational reasons. There, they have access to conveniences such as radio and television.

The Laz of Turkey and Georgia speak two different languages, both of which are unwritten. Although they are closely related, they are not mutually intelligible. Most of the Laz in Turkey also speak the Turkish dialect of their region.

In Turkish folklore, the Laz have a reputation for plundering and piracy. They were notorious as kidnappers, and until the 1800s, they engaged in slave hunts focusing on young children. Today, however, they are respected as industrious, educated, adventurous and trustworthy people.

Germany is known for having a large Turkish community. Along with the Turks there are some Kurds and Laz people from Turkey living there. The Laz people started arriving in Germany in the 1970s, some 20 years after the Turks began to go there as "guest workers."

Most Laz people are in Turkey. A smaller number are in Georgia, and even a smaller number are in Germany where they blend in with the Turks.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The more intellectual Laz people realize that if they lose their language, they will lose their culture and identity. They could potentially become part of the greater Turkish whole. To stop this, there are Laz people in Germany who are trying to keep their language alive by publishing a newspaper using the Laz language. They are also trying to preserve their music and poetry.


What Are Their Beliefs?

At the beginning of the sixth century, Laz people were converted to Christianity. However today, in Turkey, Georgia or Germany, few of them are still Christian.

In the fifteenth century, the Ottoman Empire conquered the area that is now Turkey. This resulted in the conversion of many Laz to the Sunni branch of Islam. Today, almost all Laz in Turkey profess to be Sunni Muslim and are traditionally known for their conservatism in the Islamic faith. Those who have migrated to Germany remain in the Sunni Muslim fold. They face the influences of a secularized culture there.


What Are Their Needs?

Their need for the gospel is great, but the tools to reach them are few. Urgent prayer must be made if the Laz of Germany are to have an opportunity to hear the good news.


Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching Laz people in Germany for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly among the Laz people.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Laz people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Laz people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.


Scripture Prayers for the Laz, Lazuri in Germany.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laz_people_in_Germany
https://abkhazworld.com/aw/statements/178-laz-intellectuals-explain-their-view-of-laz-ethnicity


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Laz, Lazuri
People Name in Country Laz, Lazuri
Natural Name Laz
Pronunciation laz
Alternate Names Laz; Zan
Population this Country 1,000
Population all Countries 108,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 13727
ROP3 Code 106648
Country Germany
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Germany
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Map of Laz, Lazuri in Germany
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.00 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
96.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Laz (1,000 speakers)
Language Code lzz   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Laz (1,000 speakers)
Language Code lzz   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Laz

Primary Language:  Laz

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2018-2020)
Bible-New Testament No
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 LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
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: Laz YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Laz YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Daniel James Grace 
Map Source People Group location: Lazebura Facebook Group, 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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