Botlikh in Russia

Botlikh
Photo Source:  Copyrighted © 2024
Igor Stomakhin - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Botlikh
Country: Russia
10/40 Window: No
Population: 7,200
World Population: 7,200
Primary Language: Botlikh
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.03 %
Evangelicals: 0.03 %
Scripture: Translation Started
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
People Cluster: Caucasus
Affinity Bloc: Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Botlikh people live in Dagestan. Until the 1930s the Russian government considered them to be a distinct people. Since then, the government has classified them as Caucasian Avars and has campaigned to have them assimilate into that group.
The people of Botlikh speak their distinct Botlikh language and Russian as a second language. Botlikh village is high in the mountains, but it sits in a secluded valley, known for its unusually moderate climate.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The region is famous for its fruit trees, even grapes and apricots, which grow bountifully in this unusual environment amidst the rugged mountain ranges of western Dagestan.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditional Islam, tinged with ancient folk customs, holds sway in this region.

What Are Their Needs?

The Botlikh people need the chance to hear and respond to the gospel. They need Scripture portions widely distributed among them and hearts that are open to salvation by grace.

Prayer Points

Pray that the fruit of the Spirit, will multiply 30-60-100-fold among the Botlikh people.
Pray that the few urban followers of Jesus in Dagestan who have connections into the Botlikh culture will follow the voice of the Spirit like Philip did on the road to Gaza in Acts 8 and reach key men and women inside the Botlikh world.
Pray for linguistic/ethnographic initiatives for this proud mountain people will be accurate and complete.
Thank the Lord that a translation of the Lord’s Prayer in the Botlikh language will get into many Botlikh hands.
The Botlikh live in Dagestan, a land of war. Pray what Satan meant for evil (fighting), God will use for good to bring many people to humility and the saving work of Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project