Cherkess in Russia
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| People Name: | Cherkess |
| Country: | Russia |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 115,000 |
| World Population: | 115,000 |
| Primary Language: | Kabardian |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Caucasus |
| Affinity Bloc: | Eurasian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Cherkess live mainly in northern Karachay-Cherkessia. They are the descendants of the Besleney Circassians and speak the Besleney Kabardian dialect. During the 4th-16th centuries, the religious representations of Circassians combined elements of Christianity and traditional ethnic beliefs. The process of accepting Islam was gradual. The first Circassians to embrace Islam were the ethnographic groups who lived on the Black Sea and Azov coast.
The Cherkess speak the Besleney sub-dialect of the Kabardian Adyghe dialect (East Circassian). However, because the Besleney tribe lived at the center of Circassia, the Besleney dialect also shares a large number of features with dialects of the West Adyghe dialect.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Cherkess people live isolated lives. Most people in their region make their living through livestock herding and agriculture.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The vast majority of Circassians are Sunni Muslims. Approximately 7% of the total number of Circassians in Russia profess the Circassian monotheistic religion.
What Are Their Needs?
On a variety of levels, the Cherkess are cut off from the gospel. Islam cuts them off. Their association of Christianity with the Russians offers a second barrier. The Russian government’s desire to keep outsiders away from the Cherkess region is a third barrier. Finally, the Cherkess are suspicious of outsiders. God will have to do a miracle.
Prayer Points
Pray that the Cherkess people will become interested in God’s word and that strong believers will tell them Jesus is more than a prophet, but that He is the God who sacrificed Himself for them.
Pray that their eyes will be opened to see the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Pray that just as Joseph was a light to the Egyptians thousands of years ago, the few Cherkess believers who exist today will be Christ’s ambassadors to their own communities.
Pray that the God of wandering peoples will lead them to seek a home made without hands (Heb. 11:13-16).