Karachay in Russia

Introduction / History

Over the past 600 years, the Karachai people have experienced life much like a grape placed in a wine press. Formerly part of the once mighty Alan Empire (nominally Christian), Turko-Mongol leader invader Timur defeated and forcibly converted the Karachai to Islam in the 14th century. Russian czarist imperialists conquered them in the 19th century, so the Karachai people are very familiar with distress brought about by defeat at the hands of invading nations.

During World War II, the Germans swallowed them up as they advanced through the Caucasus Mountains. Then Stalin's Soviets re-conquered them. Due to their "acceptance" of German rule, Stalin then deported the Karachai—numbering roughly 80,000 at the time—from their Caucasus homeland to remote parts of Soviet Central Asia between 1943-57. Despite 35 percent of their population dying during the forced relocation, many Karachai have returned to their homeland and have begun repopulating their home area in the Russian province of Karachai-Cherkessia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Karachai of the Russian North Caucasus have preserved much of their heritage due to their Islamic cultural identity and their clan-organized communities, called Tukhum. Fiercely loyal within their Tukhum, Karachai have maintained strong family and cultural traditions best observed in weddings, funerals and over-the-top hospitality toward guests. Nevertheless, the Karachai's position on the global stage has not changed despite population growth and retaining cultural identifiers.

The Karachai culture, on the one hand, is devoted to 'duty '—but, on the other hand, is plagued by cycles of vengeance, corruption and male drunkenness. Their Islamic traditions represents a largely 'graceless' dynamic, with no clear understanding of forgiving grace and no indwelling Holy Spirit to revitalize.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Karachai practice Sunni Islam tainted with folk religion.

What Are Their Needs?

The Karachai need workers to share the gospel in the Karachai language and within the Karachai culture.
At present, less than 50 known Karachai followers of Jesus and only one evangelical church exist. The New Testament and Psalms in the Karachai language was completed in the 1990s. Even this is a better situation than what is faced by their highly unreached neighbors.

Prayer Points

Pray for workers to go to the Karachai.
Pray for the New Testament and Psalms to be widely distributed.
Pray for workers and leaders to be raised up to disciple and lead the small group of believers and the one evangelical church.
Pray for the establishment of a viable, indigenous and reproducing Karachai church.

Text Source:   Joshua Project