Akhvakh in Russia

The Akhvakh have only been reported in Russia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

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Introduction / History

The Akhvakh, who speak their own distinct language, live in 9 major villages or towns in the mountainous region of west central Dagestan, and also in several Akhvakh enclaves in Dagestani urban areas. Before 1930, Russia considered them to be a distinct ethnic group. Since then, Russia has combined them into the Avar ethnic group. The Akhvakh speak their own distinct language, Akhvakh and maintain their distinct culture.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Akhvakh people live in a remote area. They make their living by farming and raising livestock. They suffer high rates of alcoholism like many other peoples in this region.


What Are Their Beliefs?

As do many of the peoples of Dagestan, they practice widespread folk Islam which exists alongside official Islam and its Five Pillars. One Dagestani scholar suggests that such animistic folk Islamic practices are especially strong among the Akhvakh, although not much less so among the other 33 language groups of Dagestan.
An Akhvakh mullah might write Arabic Koranic verses with ink pen on a piece of paper, soaked the paper in a cup of water until the ink dissolved in the water and then had the ill person drink the water, accompanied by memorized Arabic incantations.
If a troubling spiritual presence bothers a family in their home or there is a string of bad luck they may call an exorcist to remove the spirit.


What Are Their Needs?

The Akhvakh need workers to share the gospel in the Akhvakh language and within its culture.


Prayer Points

Pray that anointed workers will go the Akhvakh as Christ-bearers.
Pray that the Bible and other resources will be translated into the Akhvakh language.
Pray for the two female Akhvakh believers to show boldness, gentleness and love as they interface with their Akhvakh family and clan relationships.
Pray for the establishment of a viable, indigenous and reproducing Akhvakh church.


Scripture Prayers for the Akhvakh in Russia.


References

http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2017/03/25
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2014/03/13
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2010/03/27


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  
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Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2010-03-27
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-03-13
Global Prayer Digest: 2017-03-25
People Name General Akhvakh
People Name in Country Akhvakh
Pronunciation AHK-vahk
Alternate Names Akhwakh; Axvax
Population this Country 6,700
Population all Countries 6,700
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 10224
ROP3 Code 100187
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Dagestan Republic: Akhvakhsky district, 6 villages; Kakhib county. 3 villages.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Dagestan Republic: Akhvakhsky district, 6 villages; Kakhib county. 3 villages..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Akhvakh in Russia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.03 %)
0.03 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.97 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Akhvakh (6,700 speakers)
Language Code akv   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Akhvakh (6,700 speakers)
Language Code akv   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Akhvakh

Primary Language:  Akhvakh

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.