Uzbeks in Uzbekistan
Background / History
Information to better understand the history of the Uzbeks:
The earliest ancestors of the Uzbeks, the Central Asian Turks, assisted Genghis Khan in his conquest of Eastern Europe in the 14th century. As the unity between the Turks and Mongols weakened, several competing kingdoms emerged. Some of these kingdoms gave rise to the modern Uzbeks.
By the mid-19th century, most Uzbeks had been conquered by the Russians. They lived under the rule of the Tsars until the Communists came to power through the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. The new socialist government forced many Uzbek nomads and farmers to live in collective farming systems. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Uzbekistan became an independent state.
The majority of Northern Uzbeks live in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, especially in other former Soviet republics and Afghanistan.
What is their daily life like?
Traditionally, the Uzbeks were semi-nomadic herders. Today, they primarily live in Central Asia and engage in farming or work in the larger cities. The farmers primarily grow cotton. Other crops include fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Their staple food is rice. The national dish, Osh, is prepared with rice.
The traditional clothing of the Uzbeks is very unique. However, most Uzbeks now wear Western clothing, especially those living in the large, former Soviet cities.
Uzbek families are large and governed by patriarchal authority, which extends over multiple generations.
Each village has an elder. Several villages form an Elat. Each Elat is governed by a council of male elders.
What do they believe?
The majority of them are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school; a few are Christians. When their homeland was part of the Soviet Union, their religion was suppressed by the government. Since independence, the old culture and religion of Islam have experienced a revival.
Uzbeks are not generally orthodox Muslims. Many traditional beliefs have been mixed with their Islamic practices. Many of the younger generation are either atheists or simply non-religious.
What are their needs / How can they be reached?
Since gaining state independence, the Gospel has been proclaimed for the first time. Today, there are about 10,000 among the 20 million Uzbeks who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. However, there are many challenges for Christians in Uzbekistan; for example, they do not enjoy religious freedom, and missions are prohibited. The hierarchical family structure poses a significant barrier to winning individuals to faith in Christ.
Many young Uzbeks are seeking a faith that satisfies their deepest spiritual hunger. They need servants of God to sow His word into Uzbek families, reaching entire households.
How can we pray for the Northern Uzbeks in Uzbekistan?
The following prayer requests will help you pray specifically for the Uzbeks:
- Pray that believing Uzbeks will speak about biblical stories in their families and communities, causing others to seek the true God with all their hearts.
- Pray that the Northern Uzbeks will reject false teachers and false teachings.
- Pray that prayer teams will form for the Northern Uzbeks, faithfully standing for the establishment of new churches.
Sources to follow…