Mussulman Tat in Azerbaijan


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

Other PDF Profile

Introduction / History

The Turks originally coined the term "tats" to designate settled groups of non-Turkic origin. The Muslim Tat speak a local language known as Tati, which is not a Turkic language. Because no alphabet exists for Tati, they use Azeri (Azerbaijani) for their written and literary language. Depending on the area in which they live, the Tat speak other regional languages in addition to their own. They are part of three distinct religious communities that fall into a category known as tats. The three groups include the Jewish Tat (known as mountain Jews), the Christian Tat, and the Muslim Tat. The Muslim Tat of Azerbaijan live in the mountain valleys of the north and northeastern parts of the country. Most live in northwestern Iran, in the mountain valleys along the Azerbaijani border. A large number also live in the capital city of Baku.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Azerbaijan is an ethnically complex country where minority groups staunchly defend their traditional differences and struggle for local autonomy. The Tats are considered a closed society because they insist on maintaining ethnic purity by allowing marriage only within the tribe. Although the Azerbaijani Mussulman Tat have been an agricultural people from the beginning of their history, they have also developed a strong urban community. Farmers living in the valleys raise wheat, barley, maize, and cattle. Those living in mountain villages raise sheep, bulls, and buffaloes. In the northeastern area, communities consisting of 80 to 120 households are located in mountain settlements built on ledges. The rural Muslim Tats still live in their ancestral villages among the mountains and valleys. The availability of well water determines the village location. Each villages contains a mosque, a bath area, and a well along with family dwellings. Muslim Tats in rural areas usually live in one- or two-story homes, which are constructed of rectangular-shaped natural stones cemented with clay mortar. The houses feature flat roofs and front porches supported by wooden pillars. Families living in two-story homes use the upper floor for living quarters and the lower floor for workspace. Although education is compulsory for children between the ages of six and eleven, many classroom facilities are inadequate. Classes are segregated by sex, and the major emphasis is on religion and traditional values.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all of the Azerbaijani Tats are Muslim. The great majority are Shia Muslim and about one-tenth are Sunni Muslim. Muslim Tats adhere to the five essential "pillars" or duties in Islam: (1) A Muslim must affirm that "there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet." (2) Five times a day he must pray while facing Mecca. (3) He must give an obligatory percentage (very similar to tithes) on an annual basis. (4) He must fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year. (5) He must try to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in his lifetime. Most Shia Muslims believe in the traditional form of marriage for life. However, some traditional Shia still practice mutah, a form of temporary marriage that can be dissolved at any time stipulated in the premarital agreement.


What Are Their Needs?

There has been little evangelization among Muslim Tats because they are such a small group and because they live in hard to access places.


Prayer Points

Pray for Holy Spirit anointed workers to go to the Muslim Tats in Azerbaijan, and work among them until there is a movement to Christ. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead the Muslim Tats to the foot of the cross, so they can accept Christ's blood as the only atonement for sin. May they come to know that true peace and community transformation is found in embracing Jesus. Pray for the Lord to provide an abundant grain harvest among the Muslim Tat as a testimony of his goodness and power.


Scripture Prayers for the Mussulman Tat in Azerbaijan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Mussulman Tat
People Name in Country Mussulman Tat
Alternate Names Mussulman; Tat
Population this Country 116,000
Population all Countries 203,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 13896
ROP3 Code 106963
Country Azerbaijan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Balakhan district: Surakhan region on Apsheron peninsula; Baku, Davichi, Kuba, Sizan, and Vartashen cities; Afruja, Chichi, Dagkushu, Genvab, Konakhkend, Lakhij, and Matrasa villages; widespread in mountains near Qonaqkend.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Azerbaijan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Balakhan district: Surakhan region on Apsheron peninsula; Baku, Davichi, Kuba, Sizan, and Vartashen cities; Afruja, Chichi, Dagkushu, Genvab, Konakhkend, Lakhij, and Matrasa villages; widespread in mountains near Qonaqkend..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam (Shia)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.20 %)
1.30 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
98.70 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tat, Muslim (116,000 speakers)
Language Code ttt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tat, Muslim (116,000 speakers)
Language Code ttt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tat, Muslim

Primary Language:  Tat, Muslim

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1989-2011)
Bible-New Testament Yes
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tat, Muslim Jesus Film Project
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Photo Source Withheld by request 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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