The Luri Muslim Peoples of Iran

Iran

Population: 700,000

The Luri of Iran are an unreached people group

Extending 1,000 kilometers (700 miles) southward from Turkey to southern Iran, the Zagros mountains are home to one the most unreached people groups in the world, the Luri of Iran. During the 7th century, the Luri were known as a war-like people and their region served as a no-mans land between the Medes and the Persians.

Today, the Luri are divided into several main groups including the Pusht Kuh, which means "behind the mountain", and the Peesh Kuh, meaning "in front of the mountain". These groups are then divided into kinship groups and tribes. Traditionally, each tribe is headed by a hereditary chief or khan. Their role is to ensure peace and security by maintaining a balance of power between the various sub-tribes, called Oulads. An Oulad varies from 3 to 8 households.

An important cultural aspect of the Luri is its rich tradition of folklore and story telling. One important piece of poetry, "the Book of Kings" glorifies cultural heroes with tales of honor, loyalty and bravery. Almost all Luri are Shiite Muslims.

How the Luri of Iran live

More than half of the Luri are nomadic pastoralists of sheep and goats. During winter they migrate to the low-lying pastures and live in more permanent dwellings made of mud bricks and stone. During summer, they move to the high mountain pastures. For these months they live in black tents made of goat hair.

Other Luri live in permanent villages, farming wheat and barley. This is becoming an important part of the Luri economy. Like many nomadic groups, they are becoming increasingly threatened by urban merchant traders who usually extend credit to the nomads during winter and collect the debt in summer. The merchants charge high interest, resulting in many households being heavily in debt. It is estimated that nearly 30% of the region's livestock is now owned by the urban traders.

Development and literacy have been costly for the Luri, as the only opportunity for education results in long periods of isolation for the children from their families and their culture. Presently there are no Christians working among the Luri and no translation of the Bible. To reach the Luri of Iran it will take men and women willing to face the harsh realities of this remote region of the world.

Pray for the Muslim Luri in Iran:

* Pray that God will call workers forth who will work and live among the Luri. Pray for the implementation of strategies to effectively reach the Luri.

* Pray for the children who are separated from their families to have an opportunity to hear the Gospel.

* Jesus speaks of the characteristics of a good shepherd. Pray that the Luri will one day know the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-15).

* Pray for the translation of the Bible in the Luri language.

Note

There are now Luri believers and Luri scriptures - also the Jesus film in Luri.
See http://www.luripeople.com/LuriLove/ .

Background information, map and statistics about Iran can be found here.

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