Southern Luri in Iran

The Southern Luri have only been reported in Iran
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Southern Luri people live in a place that was probably inhabited for thousands of years. The first written mention of the Luris was in the 10th century. History shows that their nomadism was originally a defense mechanism in order to avoid contact with outside powers and their invasions. In order to preserve themselves and their lifestyle, the Luris found it necessary to keep moving. Outside powers, like the Shahs of Iran, have been able to conquer the various Luri subgroups individually.

As the Mohammed Reza Shah consolidated his power over various parts of Iran, the Luri people suffered. They lost their semi-independent status, and their ability to move with their livestock. When oil was discovered in Luri territory, they were not given the profits from the oil; that money went to the elite in Tehran. This shah also deprived the Luri people of higher education.


Where Are they Located?

The Southern Luri people live only in Iran. Most of them live in the southwestern part of the country.


What Are Their Lives Like?

A good percentage of Iran's Luri people make their living by caring for sheep and goats. They make annual treks across the mountains of Iran, seeking verdant pastureland for their livestock. These journeys take them up the Zagros Mountains in the summer and down to the valleys during the winter.

The Southern Luris write beautiful poetry and music. They are excellent horsemen. They are proud of their ancestry, and most of them speak their own language called Lurs. Unfortunately, they are not good at business, and many of them are in heavy debt to urban traders which causes them to lose their livestock.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Ninety percent of Luri people in Iran are practicing Shi 'ite Muslims. Most of the others adhere to various different forms of Islam. They believe that shrines dedicated to "holy men" possess healing powers. Consequently, they visit these shrines once a year. Although gospel recordings in their language, there are no Bibles, missionaries, or fellowships among them.


What Are Their Needs?

The only Christian materials available to the Southern Luri people are gospel recordings. They need to have the chance to embrace the Savior of all mankind.


Prayer Points

Pray for Iranian believers to make sure the Southern Luri people have the chance to hear the story of His glory.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Southern Luri people.
Pray that the Lord will bring about a new hunger for spiritual truth among the Southern Luris.
Pray that the shortcomings of Islam will become obvious to them, and that a large number of Luris will embrace the Lord.
Pray that soon they will have access to gospel recordings and radio broadcasts that will point them to the Good Shepherd.


Scripture Prayers for the Luri, Southern in Iran.


References

https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/iran/lurs-iran
http://www.peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=24186
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19312/IR
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luri_language
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sWc9wd0Ye4


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Luri, Southern
People Name in Country Luri, Southern
Natural Name Southern Luri
Pronunciation LOO-ree
Alternate Names
Population this Country 1,082,000
Population all Countries 1,082,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 22
People ID 19312
ROP3 Code 114987
ROP25 Code 304857
ROP25 Name Luri (Iran)
Country Iran
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 9  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Mainly Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad Province; northwest Fars and east Khuzestan provinces; some in Bushehr Province.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Iran
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 9  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Mainly Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad Province; northwest Fars and east Khuzestan provinces; some in Bushehr Province..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Luri, Southern in Iran Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Luri, Southern (1,082,000 speakers)
Language Code luz   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Luri, Southern (1,082,000 speakers)
Language Code luz   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Luri, Southern

Primary Language:  Luri, Southern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Shadegan - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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