Siberian People Groups: Yakutia

Posted: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 by Rick Lang.

The Republic of Sakha-Yakutia is the home of several indigenious people groups including the Evenks, Evens, Yukagirs, Chukchies, and Dolgans. This is the biggest part of Siberia, situated in the north-east and occupying one fifth of Russia. It is a vast land. From the capital Yakutsk to Moscow is 4,300 miles. The republic is almost the same size as India, but with only a population of one million.

Horse and reindeer breeding, together with farming are traditional occupations of the native people. In the North there is also a significant amount of hunting, fur farming, and fishing.

The usual temperature range for December through February is –40 to –60 degrees. Almost three-quarters of the territory is covered with deserted forest, the rest is spongy tundra and forest-tundra. Yakutia is covered mainly with permafrost and in the summer, the ground melts which inhibits travel on many of the roads. Most of the roads are usable in the winter making it the best time to evangelize and go to the remote places.

The Sakha language prevails in the rural regions and belongs to the Turkic language group, however many speak Russian as well.

Ways that you can pray…

Pray for the indigenious people groups of Yakutia, that they would see the truth of the gospel, understand it, and receive it.
Pray for the Langs as they work with the pastors of this region. Pray for their health, safety, and the power of the Spirit to be upon them.
Pray for the evangelistic plan that was put in place the winter 2005, in reaching these isolated people groups: Yakuts, Evenks, Evens,Dolgans, and Yukaguirs.
Pray with the Lord’s direction, the Langs will know with whom to partner and what the initial steps are, in working with the brothers & sisters in this region.
Pray that the existing 16 churches of this area that measures the size of India and occupies a fifth of Russia, will grow in number, most importantly will grow strong in the Spirit and “the anointing” will be on each and every believer of this region.

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