Didoi in Georgia

Didoi
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group location: SIL / WLMS. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Didoi
Country: Georgia
10/40 Window: No
Population: 500
World Population: 19,500
Primary Language: Dido
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Portions
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
People Cluster: Caucasus
Affinity Bloc: Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The vast majority of the Dedoi people live in western Russia, but a very small number are in Georgia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Little is known about their lives, except that they are Muslim. Consequently, their lives most likely reflect Islamic traditions and law.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Didoi people in Georgia believe that the one supreme being, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, they must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times each day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship. These people depend upon good works to pay the penalty for their sins. They depend upon the spirit world for their daily needs because they regard Allah as too distant. They believe that Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well they live in their daily lives. Consequently, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.

What Are Their Needs?

Didoi people in Georgia need to see beyond their customs and religion to their desperate need for the almighty sin bearer who laid down His own life for them. They need to know that they are loved with His infinite love. They need to know that there is a new world and a new home in their future, if they will choose to rely upon Christ alone for their lives now and in their future.

Prayer Points

Pray that Lord Jesus will send dreams and visions of Himself to Dedoi spiritual leaders, husbands, and fathers, so that His light will shine among Dedoi people at last. Pray that they will understand and embrace the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Pray that families will be comforted and strengthened as they see changes in their families and leaders. Pray for Didoi disciples to make other disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project