Kazakh in Georgia

Introduction / History

The Kazakhs, a Turkic people, are the second largest Muslim people group in Central Asia. In times past, they may have been the most influential of the various Central Asian ethnic groups. Most of the Kazakhs live in Kazakhstan. Large communities can also be found in Mongolia, Ukraine and Russia. There are smaller Kazakh communities in Georgia and Moldova.

The Kazakhs developed a distinct ethnic identity in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Several of their clans formed a federation that would provide mutual protection. As other clans joined the federation, its political influence began to take on an ethnic character. During the nineteenth century, the Russians acquired Central Asia through a steady process of annexation. They eventually claimed the entire territory of Kazakhstan. They also claimed numerous other countries that were once independent. Those included Turkic nations like Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Their drive for more power also included Eastern Orthodox Christian nations such as Armenia, Georgia and Moldova. These became part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). During the 70 years of communist rule, people from various parts of the USSR moved to other places with a different language and culture. After the USSR imploded in 1991, each of these countries gained independence from the Moscow-based government. However, the ethnic groups often remained in other countries. Kazakhs remain in the other countries of the former USSR and this includes Georgia and Moldova.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kazakhs have been searching for their identity. Traditionally, they were nomadic shepherds; however, under Soviet rule, much of their land was seized and used for collective farming. Some worked on farms, but many moved to urban centers.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Kazakhs in Georgia and Moldova have learned to live in urban environments like Chisinau and Tbilisi. They live in houses or small apartments. Most of these two or three-room apartments have running water, though in some rural areas, there is no hot water. The water is clean but not safe to drink. The process of purifying the water can be very tedious.

Especially in rural areas Kazakhs eat a variety of meat and dairy products. A popular Kazakh food is besbarmak, which they eat with their hands. It is made of noodles, potatoes, onions and mutton. Rice and bread are common staples.

Even for urban Kazakhs hospitality starts with a cup of tea. A Kazakh host offers tea to any person who comes to his house. Guests must accept the kindness, or the host will be offended.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Kazakhs embraced Sunni Islam during the sixteenth century and still consider themselves Muslim today. Ironically, communist efforts to squelch religion either made Kazakhs more determined to be Muslim or they gave in and became atheists. Today they have the freedom to decide. Like most Central Asian Muslims, the Islamic practices of Kazakhs have been combined with folk religion.

Traditional Kazakh folk religion includes beliefs in spirits. They practice animism and ancestor worship. Animism is the belief that non-human objects have spirits. Ancestor worship involves praying and offering sacrifices to deceased ancestors. Today, Kazakhs continue to consult shamans (priests who cure the sick by magic, communicate with the spirits, and control events). They also practice various traditional rituals before and after marriage, at birth and at death.

In both Moldova and Georgia, there is a small Kazakh church. They are either Orthodox Christians or Evangelicals.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kazakh church is young, but the church is growing. The largest number of Kazakh Christian believers is in Moldova and Georgia. Most Kazakh Christian believers live in urban centers, so there is a need to reach Kazakhs in rural areas.

Prayer Points

Praise God for the growing number of Kazakh Christians!
Pray for Christians in Moldova and Georgia to teach the word of God and disciple Kazakhs in the ways of Jesus Christ.
Pray for fresh leadership training materials prepared in the Kazakh language.
Pray for salvation for heads of families as the gospel is presented to them.
Ask the Lord to send long-term laborers to live among the Kazakhs and disciple them in his ways.
Ask God to encourage and protect the small number of Muslim Kazakhs who have turned their lives over to Jesus.
Pray Muslim background believers will boldly and lovingly share the gospel with Kazakhs everywhere.
Ask the Lord to raise strong local churches among the Kazakhs that will plant more churches.

Text Source:   Joshua Project