"As outcast, as strangers in a forgotten corner of the earth, they wept alone," is how a Tajik poet described the oldest surviving people group in Central Asia. Tajiks are of Indo-Persian decent with a history dating back to the 4th century B.C. Although estimates place their numbers at around eleven million, only about six million live in Tajikistan. The rest are dispersed among Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and China. Genetically they are considered part of the Caucasian race, though intermarriage with Turkic-Mongoloid groups has produced Tajiks with oriental features as well as individuals with blond hair and blue eyes. While mostly farmers and herders, large groups of Tajiks live and work in the urban populations of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. In China, the majority live a semi-nomadic lifestyle in the eastern Pamir Mountains. From Alexander the Great through the Communist takeover in 1929, Tajiks have been repeatedly invaded, conquered, and oppressed. In spite of this, they remain a peace loving people with a distinct language and love for art, music and poetry.


CULTURE

Language

The primary language spoken by Tajiks is "Tajik," a dialect of modern Persian. After Tajik, Russian is the second most common language spoken in Tajikistan. Russian was, but is no longer an official language of Tajikistan. Tajiks in China are called Sarikol. The majority speak a dialect of Tajik, although the younger Sarikol also speak and write Han Chinese. Tajiks living in Afghanistan speak Dari, a related dialect of Persian.


Arts

Tajiks highly esteem the literary arts and revere their poets as political and spiritual heroes. Music also plays an important role in the culture. Celebrations often include traditional folk songs, dances and folklore. References to eagles, a symbol of heroism, appear throughout their folklore. Tajiks also have a reputation as highly skilled artists and craftsmen, particularly in urban areas of Afghanistan.


Chaikhanas

Teahouses where men socialize and carry out business, chaikhanas can range from very ornate buildings featuring porches and elaborate woodcarvings to open-air places with a scattering of mats. Aside from their social function, under the Soviet regime Tajiks used chaikhanas clandestine mosques in which to pray and hold religious meetings.


Food

Bread, called pan, is the staple food, and Tajiks make it from a variety of flours, including dried peas and mulberries. "Osh" made from rice, mutton and vegetables would be served at most main meals. Rice, fruit, raisins, chicken, mutton, yoghurt and tea make up their usual diet. Though not usually found in the kitchen, men do the cooking when it comes to Osh.


Hospitality

Tajiks are renown for their gracious hospitality. In rural areas especially, it would be a rare occasion for a traveller to be turned away. Guests are traditionally welcomed with a meal of bread, tea and yoghurt made from goat's milk.


Dress

Clothing varies a bit depending on the country. Men wear colourful embroidered skullcaps, but in Afghanistan they wear a turban over the cap. In Tajikistan the women dress in colourful cottons, silks and flowered headscarves; men typically wear shirts and trousers. Quilted coats and fur hats provide protection against harsh winters and the cold mountains.


ECONOMY

In response to centuries of invasion, Tajiks settled mostly in rugged, remote mountains, a geographic feature that limits economic development. Seventy years of Soviet rule and mismanagement in Tajikistan further hindered the economy. Only a third of the terrain is suitable for farming, and most of that depends on irrigation. Crops include wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, nuts, cotton, and a variety of vegetables and fruits. While uranium, gold, iron, oil and coal are part of the country's rich natural resources, a lack of technology, finances and good infrastructure hinders their production. The only exports providing significant profit are aluminium and cotton. Severe inflation and the after-effects of a civil war in the 1990's means that Tajikistan remains the least attractive of the former Soviet republics to foreign investors. It is also the poorest of Central Asian republics, with shortages of housing, medical care and employment.


SOCIETY

The extended family unit makes up the basis of Tajik society. Up to three generations live in one household, with a new bride moving in with her husband's family. The oldest male of the family acts as head of the household. Councils consisting of men from the leading families govern the community. While it is an all male government, village councils frequently consult the women before making decisions.

Marriage customs vary somewhat according to location. In China, Tajik parents chose their children's spouses. The bride's family must pay a "bride price," often including items of silver, gold, clothing or animals. In Afghanistan, where arranged marriages are also common, men are allowed up to four wives, though the practice is not common. Divorce is a fairly uncomplicated process for men, all they need say is "I divorce you" three times and the marriage is dissolved. Women, on the other hand, are not allowed to initiate the proceedings. In Tajikistan, arranged marriages are less frequent, but divorce is more common, particularly in urban areas.

Tajik women may not inherit property, but they do have more freedom in the work place and society than do women in some other Islamic cultures.


RELIGIOUS LIFE

The Tajik's Muslim heritage dates back to the seventh century, when Arabs converted the peoples of Iran and Central Asia to Islam. Tajiks are mainly followers of the Sunni sect of Islam. Religion was suppressed during the Communist regime, but despite that, at least 80% of Muslims in Tajikistan held on to their beliefs. In 1993, under the influence of Iranian, Afghan and Arab Muslims trying to re-establish Islam in Central Asia, the number of known mosques in Tajikistan grew from 18 to 2,000. Culturally, to be Tajik is to be Muslim. Islamic rituals permeate all their major life events. Many combine animistic beliefs, magic and the use of charms into their practices, and relatively few Tajiks (in Tajikistan) are orthodox, practicing Muslims.


Contact with Christianity

Out of the 35,000-50,000 Sarikol in China, there are no known believers actually living in China, and probably less than a handful worldwide. No missionaries are yet allowed to live among the Sarikol and there are no Christian radio or television broadcasts in their language.

In Afghanistan, out of over four and a half million, there are perhaps three to four hundred Tajik Christians. Although the New Testament is available in their language, only 10% of Afghan Tajiks are literate. The Jesus Film is also available and a number of mission agencies are working among these people.

There is no established Tajik church in Uzbekistan.

There are several Tajik churches in Tajikistan. They are small and most are not recognized by the government. In Tajikistan and Uzbekistan the perception is that Christianity is a foreign religion, and even more negatively, representative of Russian power. Although freedom of religion is protected by the Constitution, attacks against churches have risen in the past couple of years-possibly a reaction to Muslims converting to Christianity.

The entire Bible is available in Cyrillic script, but the translation is being updated to a more contemporary and understandable form of the language. Only the New Testament is available in Arabic script. The Jesus Film in the Tajik language has already been shown on television in Tajikistan.


PLEASE PRAY:

• For Tajiks in all areas to have an opportunity to hear the Gospel.
• For God to raise up Christians to go and share the Gospel with the Tajik.
• For God to protect the Tajik Christians and strengthen them in their faith.
• For the production of effective Christian radio programs and media tools.
• For the Lord to raise up Tajik evangelists, translators, pastors and church planters to reach their own people.

© International Teams and People International 2003.