Shikaki in Iran


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Shikaki are part of a much greater Kurd population. They are made up of a number of clans, tribes and tribal confederations, many of which have been in existence for thousands of years. This large people group shares several important and common ties. Not only do they speak closely related languages, but they also share a common culture, geographical homeland and sense of identity. Kurdish people are basically more alike than are other people groups, and they feel it. The Shikaki Kurds are a confederacy of tribes of northern Kurdistan. They live primarily in the mountainous area where the borders of Turkey, Iran, and Iraq meet, in the district of Dustan and Qotur, northwest of Lake Urmia. These various tribes and clans are distinguished by the languages they speak. The Shikaki language is possibly a dialect of Kurmanji, the largest Kurdish language group. Apart from the Shikaki Kurds of Iran, you can find other large communities of them in Turkey and Iraq.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In recent times, particularly since the early 1930s, the tribal organizations of the Shikaki Kurds have been largely suppressed. As a result, many of the nomads have moved from the rural, economically depressed areas into the cities. There, industry provides jobs for a small segment of the population, while the others are engaged in trade, services and craft work. Basic Kurdish society is mainly rural, with most people making their living from farming and raising livestock. Most are fairly settled; however, some still practice a semi-nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place with their herds of goats and sheep. The nomadic shepherds move into the mountain areas during the summer and down to the plains in the winter. Although Kurdish farming techniques are somewhat archaic, they are now being integrated into the capitalist market. Cotton, sugar, beets, and tobacco are replacing the traditional food crops. The Kurds grow them both to sell in the market and for export. Their daily diet is built around bread, dairy products, dates, tea, and meat. Pork and alcoholic beverages are tabooed because of their Muslim religion. Kurdish women generally enjoy more freedom than do the Arabian, Turkish, or Persian women. For example, they seldom wear veils. Although they are modest in their behavior, they are not particularly shy of strange men.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly all Kurds are Muslims, most being from the conservative Shafite Sunni school of Islam. They first embraced Islam after the Arab conquests of the seventh century. Today, they look to Islam as a basis for social justice. Even so, in rural areas, some also believe in jinnis (spirits capable of assuming human or animal forms). Many are also involved in elements of animal worship. Such beliefs do not conform to any form of Islam. Mullahs (Muslim spiritual leaders) play an important role in the social and cultural life of those living in the country. Until recent times mullahs would act as village witch doctors, performing ceremonies and reciting chants to drive out madness or cure the sick. Religious fraternities still operate throughout this region of the world. In the past, some influential sheiks (spiritual leaders) even became members of parliament. However, their authority eventually began to crumble. Today, their spiritual and economic power is being challenged.


What Are Their Needs?

Like other Kurds, the Shikaki need to put their identity in Jesus Christ, the solid rock.


Prayer Points

Pray that the sheer wonder of knowing Jesus and the impact he has on their lives and the joy he brings spur believers to share Christ with the Shikaki Kurds in Iran. Pray the hearts of the Shikaki people would be stirred by a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit readying them for the time when they hear the gospel message being shared with them. Pray they will experience dreams and visions of Jesus leading them into a saving relationship with him. Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among the Shikaki Kurds.


Scripture Prayers for the Shikaki in Iran.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Shikaki
People Name in Country Shikaki
Alternate Names Kurd; Kurdish; Shikaki Kurd; Shikaki Kurdish
Population this Country 31,000
Population all Countries 57,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14909
ROP3 Code 108943
ROP25 Code 307465
ROP25 Name Shikaki
Country Iran
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 9  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Azarbayjan-e Gharbi Province, north and west of Lake Urmia; enclaves in Mazandaran (Kalardast region), and Qazvin provinces; northeast, in Khorasan-e Shemali Province, Quchan and Bojnurd towns, also in Khorasan-e Razavi and Golestan provinces; Kurdish variety of Khorasani Kurmanji is east of the Caspian Sea.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Iran
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 9  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Azarbayjan-e Gharbi Province, north and west of Lake Urmia; enclaves in Mazandaran (Kalardast region), and Qazvin provinces; northeast, in Khorasan-e Shemali Province, Quchan and Bojnurd towns, also in Khorasan-e Razavi and Golestan provinces; Kurdish variety of Khorasani Kurmanji is east of the Caspian Sea..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kurdish, Northern (31,000 speakers)
Language Code kmr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kurdish, Northern (31,000 speakers)
Language Code kmr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kurdish, Northern

Primary Language:  Kurdish, Northern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1856-2016)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1872-2005)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2008)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kurdish, Northern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kurdish, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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