During Stalin's attempt to control the economy from 1927 to 1928, the Kyrgyz who raised livestock were forced to re-settle on collective and state farms. Many responded by killing their livestock and moving to western China. Between 1926 and 1959, the Soviet administration moved many Russians and Ukrainians into Kyrgyzstan, making the Kyrgyz a minority within their own homeland.

What are their lives like?
The 41,700 Kyrgyz of Russia were not originally from the area that is now Kyrgyzstan. Their cultural origin can be traced to the region around the Yenisei River in southern Siberia. Similar cultural elements, including the practice of animism (belief that non-human objects have spirits), certain burial customs, and animal breeding methods, suggest that they have common roots with other Siberian nomads.

Under the Soviets, previously self sufficient Kyrgyz families became trapped in the Soviet economy. With production efforts being controlled by the communist party, the products they made were sent to other republics and foreign markets. The Kyrgyz soon became dependent on foreign manufactured goods.

The Kyrgyz women enjoy more freedoms than do most other Central Asian women. For example, they are not required to wear veils; they are allowed to talk to men; and they may freely ride about on the grasslands. Although they work hard, their position in the household is considered important and respected.

The men devote themselves almost entirely to caring for the animals. They dress in baggy leather pants and coarse shirts. Outer coats made of cotton or wool are also worn. Embroidered felt skull caps are common; however, on important occasions, the wealthier men may wear tall steeple-crowned hats made of felt or velvet and embroidered with gold. Their favorite gear includes their belts, saddles, and bridles, which are sometimes covered with gold and precious stones. While the women dress in the same style clothing as the men, their shirts are usually longer and go all the way down to their heels.

Music and story telling are important parts of the Kyrgyz culture. Verbal folklore has been very well developed over the years. Folk tales are often sung, accompanied by a three-stringed guitar called a dombra.

What are thier beliefs?
The Kyrgyz were first introduced to Islam during the seventeenth century. Within two hundred years, they had been completely converted to Islam. The rapid spread of Islam was aided by the strong clan system of the people.

Today, most Kyrgyz still consider themselves to be Muslim; however, some shamanistic practices still exist. (Shamanism is the belief that there is an unseen world of many gods, demons, and ancestral spirits.) The people depend on shamans (priests or priestesses) to cure the sick by magic, communicate with the gods, and control events.

What are their needs?
The relative openness of the Central Asian Republics has allowed evangelistic efforts to take place. The New Testament has been translated into the Kyrgyz language; the Jesus film is available; Christian radio and television broadcasts are being aired; and two missions agencies are currently targeting the Kyrgyz of Russia. Unfortunately, there are still no known believers among them.

It is clear that the Kyrgyz have suffered greatly. They need to see the love of Christ demonstrated to them in practical ways.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into Russia.
• Pray that God will raise up prayer teams to go and break up the soil through worship and intercession.
• Ask God to grant favor and wisdom to the missions agencies that are targeting the Kyrgyz.
• Pray for effectiveness of the Jesus film among the Kyrgyz.
• Ask God to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio to the Kyrgyz.
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to these precious people through dreams and visions.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Kyrgyz.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Kyrgyz
• Country: Russia
• Their language: Kyrgyz
• Population: (1990) 42,000
  (1995) 41,700
  (2000) 41,300
• Largest religion: Muslims (hanafite) 55%
  Nonreligious 40%
  Atheist 5%
• Christians: None
• Church members: None
• Scriptures in their own language: New Testament
• Jesus Film in their own language: Available
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: Available
• Mission agencies working among this people: 2
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 9,600 (23%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 0
  Those evangelized from the outside: 9,600 (23%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 32,100 (77%)

• Country: Russia
• Population: (1990) 145,551,500
  (1995) 146,999,800
  (2000) 147,913,000
• Major peoples in size order: Russian 79.4%
  Tatar 3.7%
  Ukrainian 2.9%
  Chuvash 1.2%
  Bashkir 0.9%
• Major religions: Christians 58.1%
  Non-religious 18%
  Atheists 12.6%
• Number of denominations: 50