4.12.2011

To Every Tribe Tuesday -Aimaq Taimani of Afghanistan

Among the wild mountainous terrain of Afghanistan there lies thousands of hidden tribes linked together by religion, tribal customs and a long history of nomadic culture.  Often cut off from the western world and living amongst themselves they make up some of the least reached people of the world.

Out of these nomadic tribes the Aimaq Taimani  are the most unreached. They do not even have a portion of the Bible and are 100% Muslim. Residing in the western part of Afghanistan in the mountainous Ghor Province they are often cut off by heavy snowfall during the winter months and in the summer months plagued with droughts making survival difficult.




The Aimaq speak a variety of different dialects containing elements of Dari, Farsi, and Turkic languages while speaking Dari formally and in the schools. 


The word Aimaq is of Mongolian origin meaning "tribe" or "grazing territory" inferring the semi-nomadic life of the people that bear its name. The Aimaq follow Islamic and tribal laws, yet many times cultural practice supersedes Islamic tradition. Such is the case with women and marriage, providing far more respect than what is commonly seen in rural tribes of Afghanistan. It is not uncommon for women to voice their opinions even in the presence of strangers. Marriages are arranged by the father yet the daughter is given the opportunity to decline. As Jacob served Laban, so also, some men serve the father of their bride-to-be until the time agreed upon where his service is done and the marriage takes place (the grandest celebration of Aimaq culture).


Please pray for the Aimaq people and especially for the Taimani tribes that Christ might shine His truth into their hearts and into the black darkness of Afghanistan.


How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness,"
Isaiah:52:7





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