The Dungan are known for being vegetable farmers. Dungan are more wealthy than other ethnic groups in Kyrgyzstan, because they have plenty of meat and vegetables. Those who do not live on collective farms live in comfortable homes as extended family households. These families take great pride in keeping vegetable gardens at home.
Dungan settlements are concentrated in the river valleys. A village may contain two or more collective farms and have a population of thousands. Each village has a council that manages the farm. Farms, which are basically small cities, have electricity, running water, and gas for cooking. In each collective farm village, there are one or two schools, and all subjects are taught in Russian. Children may also receive instruction in Dungan for two hours a week. Each farm has day nurseries, general stores, a hospital, and a post office. Some also have tobacco factories, evening schools, dairies, bathhouses, and machine repair shops.
Please pray for Dungan villages that:
- Christians who are culturally sensitive would be welcomed into the community
- Dungan village and family leaders would find Christ and his word to be a life-giving spring to the community