Balkar in Kazakhstan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Other PDF Profile

Introduction / History

The life of a shepherd has never been easy. In ancient times, we read of the shepherd boy David, who fought against wild animals to save his flock. For centuries, the historically-Muslim Balkar people have lived in the highlands of the Caucasus Mountains (southern Russia) in the province of Kabardino-Balkaria, shepherding their flocks and their livestock. Though most remain in this part of Russia, there are others who reside in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and even the United States. They are in various Central Asian countries because their ancestors were deported there during the days of the Soviet Union during WWII.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Their shepherding livelihood is passed from father to son, beginning at a very young age. It's never-ending, strenuous work. Expanding their property to accommodate increased herds is something shepherds strive for, since a man's fortune is ranked by the number of cattle or sheep he owns.

The Balkar originally lived in homes made of mud and wood. Today, their houses are built with brick or stone and have tile or slate roofs. The homes usually have two stories and most have porches.


What Are Their Beliefs?

There is a small group of believers among the Balkar people. In 1957 Ibrahim became the first Balkar believer. He found Jesus while living in a foreign land under the deportation of Stalin. It would be another 32 years until another Balkar would come into the Shepherd's fold--in 1989--and a third became a follower of Jesus in 1991 as the Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union was torn down. The small group of Christians struggles to develop Christian practices in a culture where every aspect of life, from birth, to marriage, to death, is governed by folk-Islamic and Balkar traditions. Pray that they would discern the freedom of Christ in their worship and in their communal relationships.

Several adolescents have prayed to receive Christ at summer camp, but have no ongoing Christian influence in their lives, so pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to nurture them.


What Are Their Needs?

Balkar people who live in remote areas lack adequate medical care.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send loving Christians to minister life to the Balkar people.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of the Balkar people towards the gospel.
Ask God to call forth teams of intercessors who will rise up and faithfully stand in the gap for the Balkar.
Pray for the salvation of key Balkar leaders who will boldly disciple others.


Scripture Prayers for the Balkar in Kazakhstan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkars
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_of_the_Balkars


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Balkar
People Name in Country Balkar
Pronunciation ball-KAR
Alternate Names Alan; Karachai; Karachay
Population this Country 2,400
Population all Countries 130,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 10608
ROP3 Code 100852
Country Kazakhstan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 47  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Kazakhstan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 47  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

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 %
Primary Language Karachay-Balkar (2,400 speakers)
Language Code krc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Karachay-Balkar (2,400 speakers)
Language Code krc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Karachay-Balkar

Primary Language:  Karachay-Balkar

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1978-1995)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1994-2020)
Bible-Complete No
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
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Karachay-Balkar 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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Karachay-Balkar YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Жюнюс - Balkar Jonah Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App Android Bible app: Сыйлы Китап (NT and Psalms) Institute for Bible Translation
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Karachay-Balkar YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Сыйлы Китапла (NT and Psalms in Balkar) Institute for Bible Translation
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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