Ossette in Türkiye (Turkey)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Additional PDF Profile

Introduction / History

The Ossetians in Türkiye are descendants of migrants from the Caucasus region, primarily settling during the 19th century. Around 50,000 Ossetians migrated to the Ottoman Empire in the early 1860s, escaping conflict and repression. Many initially settled in eastern districts like Sarıkamış but later relocated further west after the Russo-Ottoman War (1877-78). By the 1960s, around 60 Ossetian villages were scattered across central and eastern Anatolia. Today, only three villages—Boyal?k, Karabacak, and Poyrazl? (in the Yozgat district)—remain predominantly Ossetian, where residents still speak the Iron and Digor dialects of the Ossetian language. Over time, urban migration led many Ossetians to move to major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Kars, accelerating their assimilation into Turkish society. Despite these changes, the Alan Cultural and Aid Foundation (established in 1989) continues to promote Ossetian heritage and support community solidarity.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Ossetians in Türkiye predominantly follow Sunni Islam, a shift influenced by their migration to the Ottoman Empire, which was predominantly Muslim. This contrasts with Ossetians in the Caucasus, who remain primarily Eastern Orthodox Christians. The religious transition in Turkey resulted in the abandonment of some traditional Christian practices and customs observed in their ancestral homeland.

Despite their conversion to Islam, elements of pre-Islamic Ossetian traditions persist in their cultural practices, including rituals and celebrations tied to their Caucasian heritage. However, the influence of Turkish society has gradually shaped their religious and cultural identity over time.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ossetians in Türkiye are primarily integrated into the larger Turkish society. In rural areas like Yozgat, they maintain traditional village lifestyles, with farming and animal husbandry as common occupations. In urban centers such as Istanbul and Ank


What Are Their Needs?

Christian materials in Ossetian dialects are limited, making outreach efforts challenging. While some audio gospel messages and Scripture are available in Russian and Georgian, there are currently no widely known Ossetian-language Bibles in Türkiye.


Prayer Items

Proclaim Scripture verses that God knows and loves these people and wants none to perish.
Pray the Scriptures that entire families will turn to Christ.
Pray that Christianity will be remembered in their traditions and the people will be attracted to the gospel.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will multiply Ossetian believers.


Scripture Prayers for the Ossette in Türkiye (Turkey).


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ossetians_in_Turkey
Ossetians – Wikipedia (general overview):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ossetians
Ossetians.com – History of Ossetians and Alans:
http://ossetians.com/eng/news.php?f=3&newsid=27
Os


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Ossette
People Name in Country Ossette
Alternate Names Allagir; Digorons; Iron; Tagaur; Western Ossete; Western Ossetian
Population this Country 42,000
Population all Countries 643,000
Total Countries 10
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 14229
ROP3 Code 107699
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 45  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Digor dialect reportedly in Bitlis and another small town west; Iron dialect Sarikamis and Erzerum towns and cities; also in Mugla, Kars, Antalya. May be in Syria   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 45  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Digor dialect reportedly in Bitlis and another small town west; Iron dialect Sarikamis and Erzerum towns and cities; also in Mugla, Kars, Antalya. May be in Syria.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
6.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Ossetic (42,000 speakers)
Language Code oss   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Ossetic (42,000 speakers)
Language Code oss   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Ossetic
Photo Source Bohan Shen - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Temo Blumgardt - Wikimedia  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.