The Dimili Kurds differ from other Kurds in primarily two ways: language and religion. Although they speak the Kurdish language, the Dimilis speak their own distinct dialect. Similarly, while most Kurds are Sunni Muslims, the majority of the Dimili Kurds are followers of the "Alevi Sect" of Islam. Other Kurdish peoples see the Dimilis as being heretics and, as a result, have isolated them from other Kurdish tribes.

Although most of the Kurds live in Turkey, the Turkish government refuses to recognize them as a separate people. They simply refer to them as the "mountain Turks." Even their basic needs, such as education and land development, are neglected by the government. It is no wonder, then, that the Kurds are a people struggling to maintain their own identity.

What are their lives like?
The Dimili Kurds live either grouped together in towns and villages, or as nomadic herdsmen. Their society is dominated by males, but women typically oversee the households.

Traditional clothing for the men includes baggy trousers, plain shirts, jackets wrapped with brightly colored sashes, and colorful turbans. A dagger is worn and thrust into the folds of the sash. The women also wear brightly colored clothing; but, contrary to most other Muslim women, do not cover their faces with veils.

In northeastern Kurdistan, where the Dimili Kurds live, there are three large river systems: the Arax, the Tigris, and the Euphrates. The valleys surrounding these rivers are rich and fertile--perfect for raising sheep, goats, and cattle. Much of Turkey's meat, grain, and vegetables is also produced there.

Since the government doesn't recognize the Kurds as a distinct people group, they do not invest money or resources into the Kurdish territories. This means, unfortunately, that most of their land has remained undeveloped. The lack of government funds has also hindered the Kurds' educational progress. Most Kurdish villages do not even have a primary school.

The beautiful Caucasus mountain region where the Kurds reside is covered with snow about half of the year.

What are their beliefs?
The earliest known religious practices among the Kurds included a Persian form of worship known as "Zoroastrianism." This teaching says that there is indeed an afterlife, and it acknowledges the continuous struggle between good and evil. At the end of the seventh century, however, Arabians conquered this territory, and soon Muslim teachings replaced Zoroastrianism.

What are their needs?
Events surrounding the Kurds have recently turned the eyes of the world toward Kurdistan. Kurdish hopes for independence, or at least some sort of autonomy, ran high. This has not yet happened, unfortunately, even after the Gulf war; they are still in desperate need. Due to the Turkish government's antagonistic position toward them, the Dimili Kurds do not benefit from government funding or resources. In fact, the Turkish government uses many measures to suppress the identity of the Kurds. For example, the Kurdish language has been banned from use in schools and publications. Illiteracy and unemployment are major problems. Many villages have no water, electricity or telephones, and medical services are inadequate.

Although the Islamic religion is extremely difficult to penetrate, some Turkish Kurds are not devout Muslims and hold Christ in high regard. Unfortunately, however, there are very few believers among the Kurds and there is no Christian outreach being done in their language.

In the literal sense, this group is very difficult to reach simply because hundreds of their villages are inaccessible by road; these may only be reached via small goat trails.

Prayer Points

• Ask God to grant wisdom to those who are working to get scriptures to the Dimili Kurds in this remote area of Turkey.
• Pray that the Dimili Kurds who hold Christ in high regard will begin to look to Him for peace in their lives. Pray that God will reveal Himself to them as they search for the truth.
• Pray that God will raise up laborers who can effectively minister the Gospel to these Muslim Kurds.
• Ask God to create a hunger in the hearts of the Dimili Kurds and an openness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Pray that God will change the hearts of the Turkish governmental leaders so that they will begin to aid the Kurds in practical ways.
• Ask God to raise up Christian health-care personnel who can minister to the physical needs of these people.
• Pray that God will call Christian teachers to work among the Dimili Kurds.
• Pray that a strong Christian work will be established among the Dimili Kurds.

See also profiles on the following Kurd groups: The Alveica of Turkey; The Herki of Turkey, Iran and Iraq; The Kurd of Afghanistan, Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan: The Northern Kurd of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and Armenia; The Southern Kurd of Iraq and Iran; the Western Kurd of Syria; and the Shikaki of Turkey.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Dimili Kurds
• Country: Turkey
• Their language: dimili
• Population: (1990) 964,600
  (1995) 1,065,200
  (2000) 1,165,000
• Largest religion: Muslims (Alawites) 98%
  Muslims (Sunnis) 1%
  Nonreligious 1%
• Christians: 0%
• Church members: None
• Scriptures in their own language: None
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 2
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 85,200 (8%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 0
  Those evangelized from the outside: 85,200 (8%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 980,000 (92%)

• Country: Turkey
• Population: (1990) 56,097,700
  (1995) 61,945,200
  (2000) 67,747,900
• Major peoples in size order: Turk 66.2%
  Northern Kurd 8.8%
  Turkish Kurd 8%
  Crimean Tatar 7%
  Levantine Arab 1.8%
• Major religions: Muslims 99.4%
  Nonreligious 0.3%
  Christians 0.2%
• Number of denominations: 34