Introduction / History The Alutor (Alyutor) people are mentioned in the very first chronicles about the Russian colonization of Kamchutka. In 1697, the Russian Cossacks imposed taxes on the Alutor. They showed armed resistance, and their population significantly decreased as a result. They were constantly under attack from the Chukchis, who often confiscated their reindeer herds. In the late 18th century, the Alutors were an isolated and secluded group of people, which helped them to avoid the smallpox epidemics almost unharmed. Also, such isolation helped them to preserve their traditional way of life.
In the past, the Alutor people were involved in reindeer raising, fishing, trapping, and hunting. They settled along the rivers on elevated places with good visibility.
Their houses in time past were octagonal earth houses meant for three to five families. This was the only type of housing among them until the 19th century.
Beginning in the 1950s and continuing through the 1970s, Alutor children were sent to boarding schools, increasing the loss of the Alutor language and traditions. Many Alutor people became teachers, doctors, geologists, and zoo technicians during the Soviet era.
Where are they located? Alutor people are located in the Kamchalka District in the Northeastern Peninsula of Russia, although some are scattered.
What are their lives like? Presently, the Alutor traditions, culture, and art are endangered because of the decrease in reindeer population caused by the worsening ecology of the region. It is becoming more difficult for them to make a living, especially in their traditional roles.
What are their beliefs? There is no religious belief among the Alutor people, other than ethnic religion (A generic term covering a range of informal religions based on ethnicity - ancestor worship, animism, fetishism, shamanism, spiritism).
What are their needs? Their population is dropping. Their Alutor language is also dropping with fewer than 10 percent of the population speaking it today. Written, audio, and visual resources exist in the Russian language, but are not readily obtainable for the Alutor speaking 10 percent.
Prayer Points Pray that Alutor people who are educated and have left their homeland to pursue their careers will be exposed to the truth of the gospel.
Pray that the ethnic-spiritual chains that bind the Alutor people in their homeland will be broken, and that the light of the gospel will shine forth to all the people.
Pray for godly servants who are gifted to learn, interpret, and write the Alutor language will go to the people to translate God's word into their heart language.
Pray for a spiritual hunger for the Alutor people that will lead them to put their identity in Him.
JP Unreached of Day
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