September 3, 2008
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Iran - Bakhtiari People
The colourful Bakhtiari people number between 750,000 – 1,000,000
and live in south western Iran in the clean and beautiful highlands of
the Zagros Mountains. The Chahar Mahal Province has plains, snow-capped
mountains, valleys, rivers and dense forests. It is the habitat of
leopards, sheep and bears, and grows wild pistachio, almond, walnut,
plum and ash trees. The Bakhtiari are divided into tribes, sub-tribes
and clans. About half of the people retain their traditional lifestyle
of shepherding for the men, and carpet-weaving and home making for the
women. The rest are settled and involved in agriculture and a variety
of commercial activities.Bakhtiari women enjoy a high degree of freedom in this patrilineal
culture. They traditionally wear beautiful bright coloured long full
skirts, blouses and headscarves. For thousands of years they have
undertaken a 4-6 week annual migration in the Spring, moving from their
winter quarters in Khuzistan to summer pastures in the Chahar Mahal
region south west of Esfahan. Men, women, children and animals –
thousands of them, travel across some of the most difficult mountain
country in Iran in their search for grass.The Bakhtiari language is used across generations at home and in
commerce, but many Bakhtiari also speak Persian. There are about
350,000 monolingual Bakhtiari speakers, especially among older people
and women.Like the majority of Iranians the Bakhtiari are Shi’a Muslims. There
are just a few small cell churches and scattered believers throughout
the region. In addition there are small numbers of Bakhtiari believers
in certain places around the world. Some initial Bible translation work
has begun in the United Kingdom.Prayer Starters
* May God soften the hearts of the Bakhtiari people towards the followers of Jesus so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
* Pray with a prayer partner for intercessors to be raised up for the Bakhtiari people.
* Pray for the development of suitable ministry materials and means
in the Bakhtiari language including: Scripture translations, radio
broadcasts and the “Jesus” film.* Pray that Bakhtiari speakers who are already believers will
develop strong ministry skills and become effective in reaching out to
their people.Gospel for nations …
Jesus has told us that the Gospel will be preached to all the
nations before the end of this present age (Matthew. 24:14). In Greek:
the word nations in the text is “ethnos,” which is related to the
English word ethnic, as in “ethnic group.” These groups have common
ancestors, history, language, customs and practices.Religious Affiliations: World Ethnic Groups
Christianity: 5,923 | 37%
Muslim: 3,109 | 20%
Ethnic Religions: 2,963 | 19%
Hinduism: 2,324 | 15%
Buddhism: 481 | 3%
Other / Undefined: 887 | 6%
Total: 15,687 | 99%
Mission Frontiers Magazine, March / April 2007There are over 245 Muslim people groups of over 100,000 population
which are completely unreached and for whom no one is actually engaged
in proclaiming the Gospel.
YouTube Link: BAKHTIARI TRIBE IRAN [4:19]
— see also Iranian Muslims turn to Christ despite threat, persecution !
Background Material on Iran can be found here >>
Gospel Language Recordings: Six 1/2 minutes or 2 evangelistic messages for Iran:
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