Orok in Ukraine

People Name:	Orok
Country:	Ukraine
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	800
World Population:	1,100
Primary Language:	Orok
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	4.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.50 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Ural-Siberian
Affinity Bloc:	Turkic Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Oroks are pure Mongoloids belonging to the Baikal or Paleo-Siberian group, but they are a dying people group in both countries where they live. Most Orok are located in the Sakhalin Region and the city of Khabarovsk, Russia, but a small number are in Ukraine.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Intermarriage has caused their numbers to dwindle. Many of their customs were lost during the Soviet era, when the government forced them away from their nomadic way of life and herding reindeer to move to new villages on the coast in order to become fishermen. After several generations as fishermen, few remember how to herd reindeer like their ancestors. The Orok language has never been written down. Since the fall of Communism in 1991, the Oroks had been allowed to return to their homeland, but only a few have chosen to do so.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditionally, they practiced shamanism and pagan religion.

What Are Their Needs?

The Orok people desperately need job training so they can survive and thrive in the 21st century.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Orak people will put their identity in Christ, giving them a hope and joy they have never experienced. Pray for Orak elders to have a spiritual hunger that will lead them to open the door for the gospel. Ask God to send faithful workers to reach out to this people group.