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Introduction / History

In the 4th-5th centuries, Georgian Christian missionaries evangelized the Ghunzib, but from the 15th-18th century they became Muslims. In 1813, Russia took control of this this territory because of a contract between Iran and Russia.
The Ginukh now live in five villages located in the "three corners" area where Georgia, Azerbaijan and Dagestan borders come together. Their distinctive Ghunzib language is mutually unintelligible from their nearby neighbors, the Bezhta. Russian is used as a common language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They work mainly with livestock, raising cows, goats, sheep, horses and donkeys. They farm potatoes and corn. The Ghunzib make many things from wool. The men and women of this region separate their work by gender and they have a patriarchal family system. The husband controls the family, but the women control domestic matters. Mullahs of the mosque or the priest usually handle family conflicts. The Ghunzib locate the mosque in the center of the village. This people group supports one another including their distant family.

What Are Their Beliefs?

At this time there are no known believers among the Ghunzib. They have been Sunni Muslim for over 600 years.

What Are Their Needs?

The Ghunzib are a noble people with carefully guarded ancient traditions but are also renowned for their quarrels with neighboring mountain peoples. In this they are representative of ‘graceless’ patterns of ‘honor vengeance’ among the mountain peoples of Dagestan. Cycles of violence or alienation separation are all too common. Pray for carriers of the amazing grace of Jesus to become true friends of the Ghunzib.

Prayer Items

Pray that ‘men and women of peace’ among the Ghunzib will understand that “keeping away from strife is an honor for a man” (Prov. 20:3); and that there is even greater honor in forgiveness and 2nd-mile love (Rom.12:17-21) than in vengeance.
Pray that true friends will honor the Ghunzib language and bring the good news to this people in their heart language.
There are plans to begin Ghunzib linguistic work. Pray for the Lord to streamline and bless the process. Pray for accuracy.
Pray for cross-cultural linguistic camps to open doors for relationship with Ghunzib Muslims.
There is war stress throughout Dagestan. Pray that what Satan meant for evil, God will use for good to bring many people to humility & the saving work of Christ.

Scripture Prayers for the Ghunzib in Russia.

References

NCRP