Shughni in Afghanistan


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

Introduction / History

The Shughni are of the Tajik people cluster. They are found on both sides of the Tajikistan and Afghanistan border, mostly in the Pamir mountains 30 miles north of Ishkashim. Badakshan Province and Kabul has the largest populations of these people in Afghanistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are also known as Kushani, Shugnan-Rush, or the Shugnan Rushan. Their primary language is Shughni.
The Shunghnis were mentioned in Chinese chronicles from the sixth and seventh centuries. According to these, they always kept the trade route through Shughnan under their control. Stories speak of the Shughnis being savage and warlike people who used to raid caravans. In some places, these legends are still passed on.
In Afghanistan, the Shughni carry on a traditional way of life. Some are nomadic. Many are shepherds, however some make a living by the crafts of woodworking, weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, and basket making. They live in villages and support one another during difficult times. Houses are often built on hill slopes, near water. Women often are responsible for the home, as well as some farming. Males are responsible for herding.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Shughni are Shia Muslims. There are Christian audio recordings available in their language.


What Are Their Needs?

The Shughni people need to hear that Jesus Christ offers them so much more than they can imagine, for this life and the life to come.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Shughni people that will drive them to seek and find the only savior.
Pray for the Lord to give the Shughni people dreams and visions of the Christ that will open them spiritually.
Pray for Shughni disciples to make other disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Shughni in Afghanistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Shughni
People Name in Country Shughni
Alternate Names Bartang; Khufi; Khugnone; Kushani; Oroshor; Pamiri; Shugnan-Rushan
Population this Country 50,000
Population all Countries 143,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14921
ROP3 Code 108967
Country Afghanistan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 10  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Badakhshan province: both sides of Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, 50 km north of Ishkashim, Pamir mountains.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Afghanistan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 10  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Badakhshan province: both sides of Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, 50 km north of Ishkashim, Pamir mountains..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam (Shia)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Shughni (50,000 speakers)
Language Code sgh   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Shughni (50,000 speakers)
Language Code sgh   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Shughni
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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