Yoruk in Türkiye (Turkey)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction

The Yoruk have traditionally been semi-nomadic shepherds. For hundreds of years, at the beginning of every summer, the Yoruk made the long trek from the hot coastal plains to summer in the cool prairies and grassy highlands of the western Toros Mountains. But today they have largely become settled. They are made up of a large number of patrilineal tribes, which are often subdivided into clans. The Yoruk have retained their skill in weaving wool into colorful clothing. Their religion “has deep Shamanistic roots,” but today most are Sunni or Alevi Muslims.


Ministry Obstacles

Turkey is generally hostile to overt Christian witness. There are a few Yoruk in the Balkan countries, and these may have easier access to the gospel than those in Turkey.


Prayer Focus

Pray the Yoruk, especially the young people, will be able to adjust to the Turkish society around them.
There may be no followers of Jesus Christ among the Yoruk of Turkey at this time. If there are a few, they need our prayers.
Pray for the many Yoruk who in the future will become disciples of Jesus. It's not too early to pray for them to become zealous, deeply committed disciples.
Pray that they would see the importance of education, which would increase their abilities to benefit from Christian written resources.


Scripture Prayers for the Yoruk in Türkiye (Turkey).


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Yoruk
People Name in Country Yoruk
Pronunciation YORE-uk
Alternate Names Anatolian Gagauz; Anatolian Gagauzi; Balkan Gagauz Turk; Rumelian Turk
Population this Country 475,000
Population all Countries 480,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 10
PeopleID3 16058
ROP3 Code 111096
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 Surguch dialect in Edirne Province.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
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 Surguch dialect in Edirne Province..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.00 %
Non-Religious
1.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Balkan Gagauz Turkish
Language Code bgx   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Yuruk
Dialect Code 7617   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Turkish
Primary Language Balkan Gagauz Turkish
Language Code bgx   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Yuruk
Dialect Code 7617   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Turkish
People Groups Speaking Balkan Gagauz Turkish

Primary Language:  Balkan Gagauz Turkish

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Sevda Ateş - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Nomad Place  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.