Introduction / History

The Kumandin are located in Altai Territory, the Republic of Altai, and the Kemerovo Region of Russia. The Kumandins are a Turkic, Altaic people, who traditionally make their living by hunting and fishing, working as herders and nomads and living off the land. They were once lumped in with the Altai people, but their language and culture is different. They call themselves the Swan people, harkening back to one of their legends.

Eventually Russians settled in the nearby foothills. The Russians treated the Kumandin people violently, and this tribe withdrew further. Later their homeland was annexed by Russia, and it remains so today. Soon their children were put in classrooms where Russian was the language. Their Northern Altai language is dying out.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They are not permitted to live their traditional lifestyle of hunting and fishing. They have strict limits of how many fish they can catch. Instead they try to grow vegetables in their frozen homeland. Most face unemployment, economic problems as well as a loss of their own traditions.

What Are Their Beliefs?

During the Soviet Era, the Russians did their best to root out traditional religion, but it’s still with the Kumandin people. The Kumandin practice spirit worship and Shamanism. They believe they need shamans to interface with the spirit world. They have a weak Orthodox Christian background.

What Are Their Needs?

Their language and culture are endangered. They might not last as a separate people group. They need better jobs.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Kumandins will know the power of the One True God over the spirits and that they will accept the salvation they can have by faith in Christ.
Pray that God will saturate these people with his word, his truth and his guidance, so they will no longer be in bondage to the emptiness of spirit worship and shamanism.
Pray that God will save Kumandin leaders who will share the love of Jesus with their own people.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Kumandin church for the glory of his name, and through the church preserve the Kumandin people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Kumandin so that they will be receptive to the gospel.

Scripture Prayers for the Kumandin in Russia.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumandins
https://www.rbth.com/travel/2016/12/02/the-life-and-times-of-modern-kumandins-the-swan-people-of-altai_652911