Khik (Wakhi) in Afghanistan


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

Introduction / History

The Guhjali, also known as the mountain Tajiks, are of the Tajik people cluster. They are also called the Guhiali, Khik, Vakhan, Wakhani, Wakhi, Wakhigi, or Wakhs.
The Wakhi are found in China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, they are found in small, remote villages in the lower altitudes in the Wakhan Corridor and upper Badakshan. They mostly reside in 64 villages on the left bank of the Panj River in the Wakhan Corridor.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kirghiz live in the high mountain valleys of the area, while the Wakhi lived in the lowlands areas. Relations between the two groups are often tense, yet both groups are economically dependent on each other. The Kirghiz depend on the Wakhi for grain, while the Wakhi depend on the Kirghiz for animals. The center of the areas where they reside is Khandud. Many have scattered and are refugees now. They speak Wakhi, and Indo- Iranian language. The literacy rate is below 1%.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Wakhi are Ismaili Shia Muslims. Some, however, are Imami Shia and Sunni. There are few, if any, Christians or churches among them. There are no known groups working among them. There are Christian audio recordings available in their language.


What Are Their Needs?

The Wakhi people need better schools to they can improve their literacy rate. This could open doors for them to advance economically.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Wakhi people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.
Pray for workers who will share the good news and tell the Wakhi people how to follow the Lord.
Pray for a movement to Christ among all the Wakhi peoples everywhere.


Scripture Prayers for the Khik (Wakhi) in Afghanistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Wakhi

Source:  Asia Harvest      Download

People Name General Khik (Wakhi)
People Name in Country Khik (Wakhi)
Pronunciation keek (WAH-kee)
Alternate Names Guhjali; Khik; Vakhan; Wakhani; Wakhigi; Wakhs; गुहजली
Population this Country 23,000
Population all Countries 126,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18693
ROP3 Code 103535
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: Wakhan district, Panj river area to Sarhad village; Khandud village is the center. 42 villages.   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: Wakhan district, Panj river area to Sarhad village; Khandud village is the center. 42 villages..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam (Shia Imami Ismaili)
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 Wakhi (23,000 speakers)
Language Code wbl   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Wakhi (23,000 speakers)
Language Code wbl   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Wakhi

Primary Language:  Wakhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2000-2001)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
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
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation
Photo Source Robertino Radovix - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Video Source Asia Harvest
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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