Introduction / History

One of the names of the Kalmyk-Oirat community is Sart Kalmyk. They live mainly in Mongolia, Russia and China, but smaller populations are in Central Asian nations such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Their language is Kalmyk-Oirat, but some in Kyrgyzstan are switching to Kyrgyz, the national language. Many also identify as Kyrgyz rather than Kalmyk-Oirat.

They have moved around throughout their history. Their ancestors were the Ooled tribes who once lived in the Russian Empire. They participated in a rebellion in 1771 and had to flee to an isolated part of the Russian Empire that is now part of Kyrgyzstan. Today, those in Kyrgyzstan live in the Issyk-Kul Region, mostly in mostly in Karakol city.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Folk dancing is a favorite pastime of the Kalmyk-Oirat. The bielgee, or "dance of the body," originated during the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty. Large public gatherings were outlawed because the Manchus feared a Mongol uprising. Traditional dances had to be performed privately inside the yurt where there was little leg room. The dancers expressed themselves by using their arms, legs, and other parts of their bodies in rhythmic movements.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although all Kalmyk-Oirat claim to be Tibetan Buddhists, many practice shamanism. The black magic and secret arts of the shamans have not been challenged for hundreds of years. As far as we know there are no Christian believers among the Kalmyk-Oirat in either Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan.

What Are Their Needs?

These people need to put their hope and identity in the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Prayer Items

Pray for workers to go to the Kalmyk-Oirat people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their Savior.
Pray for families of believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.
Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.

Scripture Prayers for the Kalmyk-Oirat in Kyrgyzstan.

References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sart_Kalmyks