Kuchi Afghan refugee in Pakistan

The Kuchi Afghan refugee have only been reported in Pakistan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Pashtun of Afghanistan and Pakistan have been called the largest Muslim tribal society in the world. There are at least 30 major tribes, and countless sub-tribes and clans. One of these is the Kuchi, and that group has its subgroups. Spread over a vast geographical area and riven by socio-economic, political, tribal and linguistic (dialectical) differences, Pashtuns nevertheless share a unique sense of common identity. Pashtun identity is based on four elements: Heritage (descent from a common ancestor); Islam (99.9% Muslim); the Pashtunwali Code of Honor ("The Way of the Pashtun"); and to some extent, language (Pakhtu or Pashto). They have dialectic differences, one of which is Southeast Pakhtu, who only live in Afghanistan.
There have been efforts to reach the Pashtun since 1818, when William Carey translated parts of the Old Testament into Pakhto, based on interaction with Pashtun traders who caravanned (and settled) across north India and beyond. (In South Asia, the name "Pashtun/Pakhtun" was anglicized to "Pathan"—a name immortalized in Rudyard Kipling's novels and British colonial history; today, the Pashtun in India, Bangladesh, and throughout South Asia are known as "Pathan".)
The first intentional mission to the Pashtun was launched by the Church Missionary Society in Peshawar, Pakistan (then Northwest India) in 1853. This was followed by over 150 years of faithful witness, through mission hospitals, schools, colleges, literature, friendship evangelism, and other forms of witness by national Pakistani (Punjabi) Christians and expatriate missionaries. Despite this record, and the slow but growing number of scattered Pashtun believers, a vibrant, indigenous, disciple making movement has yet to take root and spread.
The Kuchi live only in Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

A Pashtun's primary loyalty is to his particular social group (tribe or sub-tribe). The Khel subtribe will join with other Pashtun groups when it protects their interests but fight against other Pashtuns if they feel their interests are threatened. Pashtuns look to their jingas, the assembly of leaders, as judges when there is a dispute. Note that this implies conflict resolution at the local level.
The Kuchi Pashtuns are mainly nomadic. For that reason, the people who matter are those in their group. They have less thought of outsiders than most Pashtun groups.


What Are Their Beliefs?

All Pashtun groups, including the Kuchi, are Sunni Muslim. They believe the Five Pillars of Islam, and the basic creeds of Islam. Faith in Allah is one of the central beliefs of all Pashtun people. In some situations, they will unite under an Islamic leader.
Even more important than their Islamic beliefs is the Pashtunwali Code of Honor, AKA, "The Way of the Pashtun." These include the following Pashtun virtues. Hospitality is essential in this harsh land. It can be a matter of life and death, and peoples throughout Central Asia eagerly practice it. Closely related to that is asylum, which is more unique to the Pashtuns. A Pashtun is honor-bound to protect someone seeking asylum, even at great personal cost. At times this involves giving asylum to someone running from the law or offering help to one's own enemy. In this strife-ridden land, Pashtuns value justice and revenge. To them, revenge is a form of justice. One might wait decades to take revenge on someone who wronged them or brought them shame. Bravery and loyalty are among the highest virtues to all Pashtun communities. One must be brave and willing to lay down their life for their honor and for their community. A Pashtun shows honor by defending the weak around them, especially women.


What Are Their Needs?

Kuchi Pashtuns have tremendous potential. If they allowed the Holy Spirit to transform their families and communities, they and those around them would be blessed beyond measure.


Prayer Points

Pray for the production and distribution of all forms of media in their language, including literature, videos, music, movies, radio, websites, and social media. The demand and response have increased!
Scripture. Pray for Bible translations in progress to be accurate, and eventually given out freely.
Laborers. Pray for more workers to serve among the Kuchi Pashtun people—in education, business, healthcare, development, and other professional areas.
Believers. No one knows how many Pashtuns are following Jesus. Seeds of the gospel have been sown widely. The greatest barriers to faith are social and cultural.
Pray for God's Spirit to strengthen and protect new believers and to empower their lives and witness so that Christ will be given honor.


Scripture Prayers for the Kuchi Afghan refugee in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kochi_people
https://www.bidoun.org/articles/land-of-the-seven-scarves
https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-nomads-mourn-a-vanishing-way-of-life/31192945.html
https://minorityrights.org/minorities/kuchis/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kuchi Afghan refugees
People Name in Country Kuchi Afghan refugee
Alternate Names
Population this Country 749,000
Population all Countries 749,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 15
PeopleID3 22100
ROP3 Code 119111
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 6
Largest States
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
338,000
Balochistan
167,000
Sindh
147,000
Punjab
83,000
Islamabad
12,000
Azad Kashmir
2,400
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 6
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 338,000
  Balochistan 167,000
  Sindh 147,000
  Punjab 83,000
  Islamabad 12,000
  Azad Kashmir 2,400
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
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 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Pashto, Northern (459,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Balochi, Eastern
196,000
Brahui
33,000
Hindko, Northern
16,000
Saraiki
14,000
Pashto, Central
10,000
Balochi, Southern
6,300
Hindko, Southern
4,500
Urdu
4,500
Punjabi, Western
3,300
Balochi, Western
1,400
Pahari-Potwari
500
Primary Language Pashto, Northern (459,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Balochi, Eastern 196,000
  Brahui 33,000
  Hindko, Northern 16,000
  Saraiki 14,000
  Pashto, Central 10,000
  Balochi, Southern 6,300
  Hindko, Southern 4,500
  Urdu 4,500
  Punjabi, Western 3,300
  Balochi, Western 1,400
  Pahari-Potwari 500
People Groups Speaking Pashto, Northern

Primary Language:  Pashto, Northern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1824-2010)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1991)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1895-2020)
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
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Pashto, Northern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General General Ministry Resources General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mataluna - Pashto General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Zabur - Pashto General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pashto Injil General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source The National Guard - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024