Buriat, Russian in Uzbekistan

People Name:	Buriat, Russian
Country:	Uzbekistan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	1,100
World Population:	461,400
Primary Language:	Buriat, Russia
Primary Religion:	Buddhism
Christian Adherents:	7.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.50 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Mongolian
Affinity Bloc:	East Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Buriat people are thought to be descended from Mongols who moved north to escape the rule of the Mongol Empire because there is a similarity in facial features and language.

Today Buriat people have incorporated Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese elements into their own culture. Russians arrived in Siberia in the 17th century and did little to destroy the culture until the 20th century when they introduced communism. A large percentage of Buriat live in the lowlands along the Russia-Mongolia border. Because they were once part of the USSR, some Russian Buriats migrated to other Soviet Socialist Republics in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. They are small minorities in those two countries, but they share a similar culture as the Kazakhs.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, colorful Buriat clothing of bright blue, red, green and orange silks and brocades is only used for festivals. On a daily basis they wear standard Western clothing including shawls and felt hats.

Buriat society was founded on the clan or lineage, and a man's home, his political position, inheritance, and status were largely determined by his clan membership. Traditionally, marriages were arranged by parents, forming alliances between clans, since members could not marry within their own lineage. A bride could also be obtained by abduction, with or without her consent. Today, most marriages are initiated by the couples, themselves. Buriat people love music, folk dances, chess, and sporting events.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In 1818, the first Protestant missionary began work among the Buriats. The work lasted 22 years. After that time, the laborers were few. Buriat people are now Siberia's largest Buddhist group. Those residing east of Lake Baikal are devout followers of the Dalai Lama. They are "lamanistic" Buddhists, although they include some aspects of their old Shamanistic heritage. They have much more of an Asian influence in their beliefs. The Buriat west of Lake Baikal has had more of a Russian influence.

They practice a primarily Shamanistic religion called Burkhanism. There is a preoccupation with the spirit world, and they call upon monks and lamas to alleviate evil spirits through divination and oracles, sorcery, mediums and astrology. They can obtain merit by spinning prayer wheels, reciting mantras and daily walks around shrines.

In a Tibetan Buddhist "scapegoat ritual," the sins and misfortunes of one individual or community are placed upon an image of dough, which is then thrown away in some wild or uninhabited area. Occasionally a domestic animal (often a goat) is selected, symbolically laden with guilt, and sent out to be killed by whoever finds it. This analogy is a cultural bridge that can be used to introduce the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

What Are Their Needs?

While Putin declared the mobilization to be nationwide, those most affected are Russia's ethnic minorities — among them, the people of Buriatia (referred to as the Buriat).

On Sept. 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists — young men who had previously gone through the country's mandatory conscription — in order to continue the war in Ukraine. These people have suffered the deaths of many of their young men.

Prayer Points

Pray the Buriat people will be given a growing hunger to know truth, Jesus is the personification of truth.
Pray for Buriat leaders in Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to have the spiritual hunger it takes to embrace Christ no matter what the cost.