Udmurt in Belarus


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Udmurts are a people who speak the Udmurt language. Udmurt is part of the Urlic language. The word Udmurt means "meadow people." They are also referred to by Russians and Tartars as the Otyaskaya, Otyaks, Votyaks, and Ar. The people themselves are described as red-haired and light-eyed and are said to be decedents of the Finns.

Udmurts are mentioned in Arab history as early as 921. Udmurts settled around the valley of the Cheptsa River. The Udmurts became subject to the Mongols in 1237. Later in history, some Urdmurt groups mixed with the Tartars and together they led several rebellions against Russia. During Stalin's great purge many Urmurt intellectuals were murdered. In 1990 Urmurtia became a republic of Russia. Today, because of Russian migration, Udmurts consist of only 28% of the population. Two-thirds of the Udmurt population resides in the republic.


Where Are they Located?

Most Udmurts live in Udmurtia, a federal subject of Russia. The republic is located in the Eastern portion of the Eastern European Plain of Russia. It is between the Kama and Vyatka Rivers. The Udmurt capital is Izhevsk. They also live in other surrounding countries.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Udmurt Republic has a president who is selected by the Russian President. The republic has its' own constitution and parliament, State Council, elected every five years. The republic is an industrialized republic with machine building, chemical, and oil and gas industries. In WWII it was the home to several defense industry productions and the AK-47 rifle came from this region. The capital is home to several museums and universities.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Dorvyzhy is an Udmurt epic that is a mix of myth and history. It describes the god of the heavens, the earth god (Kyldysin), and the weather god (Kuaz). Village life and religion revolved around the seasons. Villages and later homes had a household sanctuary.

Muslims began to infiltrate the culture but for the most part the Udmurts held to their traditions. In the 14th and 15th centuries Christianity came to Udmurt. It began under forced conversions by Ivan the Terrible. From 1819-1823 the four gospels were translated into Udmurt.
As Russians began to come into Urmartia so did the Orthodox faith. Today around 30 percent of the population consider themselves pagan and 15-40 percent consider themselves Orthodox. Less than a quarter of one percent of the population is evangelical Christians.


What Are Their Needs?

Udmurt society has a high level of alcoholism, depression, and suicide. Individuals and families need healing and the message of Christ.


Prayer Points

For the strongholds of paganism, alcohol abuse, and depression to be broken in individual lives, families, and in society as a whole.
For Udmurt believers to be strengthened and bring the hope of Christ to their families and friends.
For church leaders to be faithful to the Word and to shepherd their sheep well.
For the Spirit of God to work in the hearts of the Udmurt.


Scripture Prayers for the Udmurt in Belarus.


References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udmurtia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udmurt_people
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorvyzhy
http://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Udmurt-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/rss/25-2_177.pdf
http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?LanguageID=1709&StoryID=549


Profile Source:   Rachel Routt  

People Name General Udmurt
People Name in Country Udmurt
Alternate Names Kalmez; Votyak
Population this Country 1,200
Population all Countries 403,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 15686
ROP3 Code 110362
Country Belarus
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Belarus
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.40 %)
55.00 %
Ethnic Religions
40.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
5.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Udmurt (1,200 speakers)
Language Code udm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Udmurt (1,200 speakers)
Language Code udm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Udmurt

Primary Language:  Udmurt

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1847-2006)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1997)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2013-2014)
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 Udmurt Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children 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
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  International Mission Board-SBC  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Rachel Routt 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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