Shughni in Afghanistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Shughni are of the Tajik people cluster. They are found on both sides of the Tajikistan and Afghanistan border, mostly in the Pamir mountains 30 miles north of Ishkashim. Badakshan Province and Kabul has the largest populations of these people in Afghanistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are also known as Kushani, Shugnan-Rush, or the Shugnan Rushan. Their primary language is Shughni.

The Shunghnis were mentioned in Chinese chronicles from the sixth and seventh centuries. According to these, they always kept the trade route through Shughnan under their control. Stories speak of the Shughnis being savage and warlike people who used to raid caravans. In some places, these legends are still passed on.

In Afghanistan, the Shughni carry on a traditional way of life. Some are nomadic. Many are shepherds, however some make a living by the crafts of woodworking, weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, and basket making. They live in villages and support one another during difficult times. Houses are often built on hill slopes, near water. Women often are responsible for the home, as well as some farming. Males are responsible for herding.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Shughni are Shia Muslims. There are Christian audio recordings available in their language.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Shughni in Afghanistan.


Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-11-11
Global Prayer Digest: 2010-11-10
Global Prayer Digest: 2012-11-01
People Name General Shughni
People Name in Country Shughni
Alternate Names Bartang; Khufi; Khugnone; Kushani; Oroshor; Pamiri; Shugnan-Rushan
Population this Country 49,000
Population all Countries 141,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14921
ROP3 Code 108967
Country Afghanistan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 9  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Badakhshan province: both sides of Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, 50 km north of Ishkashim, Pamir mountains.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Afghanistan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 9  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Badakhshan province: both sides of Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, 50 km north of Ishkashim, Pamir mountains..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Religion Subdivision: Shia
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 Shughni (49,000 speakers)
Language Code sgh   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Shughni (49,000 speakers)
Language Code sgh   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Shughni

Primary Language:  Shughni

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2001-2015)
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
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Shughni Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation - Russia
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source The World Missions Atlas Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.