Ingush in Kazakhstan

People Name:	Ingush
Country:	Kazakhstan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	18,000
World Population:	443,800
Primary Language:	Ingush
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Portions
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Caucasus
Affinity Bloc:	Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Life for the peoples of the Caucasus Mountain Region is difficult, but for the Ingush people, it is especially grim. During World War II, they were accused of supporting the Nazis, and deported en masse to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Siberia, losing a large percentage of their population along the way. After years in exile, they were allowed to return home in 1958, only to find their land had been settled by others, and part of their region had been transferred to North Ossetia. Others remained in Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan.

Where Are they Located?

The majority of the Ingush people live in Russia's southwestern region called the North Caucasus, but some live in Kazakhstan and even fewer live in Kygyzstan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Ingush people have strict gender guidelines. A husband "owns" his household, even his wife and children. Families are traced through the father. A wife becomes part of her husband's clan upon marriage and never mentions her parents again. Marriages are arranged.

In spite of a life of continual hardship, the Ingush people still possess a rich history of art, music, dancing, wood carving, and storytelling.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Like their neighbors, the Chechens, Ingush people are Sunni Muslim. Most are part of Sufi orders, the mystical dimension of Islam, which might have kept Islam alive during the Soviet years.

Of the 415,000 Ingush, there are approximately 30 known Ingush believers living in many scattered places, none of which includes Kyrgyzstan. All of the Ingush people in that country are Muslims.

What Are Their Needs?

The Ingush people need to experience grace, mercy, and audacious love from those who follow the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Prayer Points

Pray for more of Christ's ambassadors to practice audacious love for Ingush people in Kyrgyzstan.
Pray for the Ingush people to seek and find their Savior.
Pray for breakthroughs of Jesus' grace in Ingush villages.
Pray that the Ingush people will find peace with God.
Ask God the Father to show the Ingush people in Kyrgyzstan His love and mercy. May they become spiritual warriors for God who will do battle with the spirits of hell that oppress them and the neighboring peoples.