Bit in China


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The identity of the Bit - who are called Buxin by the Chinese - is a complicated matter. The Chinese officially view the Bit as part of the Khmu, but the Khmu do not belong to any of China's official nationalities. They were included in a list of Undetermined Minorities in the 1990 national census. In Laos, the Bit were counted separately in the national census of 1995.

The Bit have ethnic relatives in both Laos and Vietnam, yet their language is distinct from the Khmu whom they are counted part of in China. The Khmu claim to be the original inhabitants of Laos, living there before they were driven from the best land by Lao invaders from China during the 12th and 13th century.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Funerals are elaborate affairs for the Bit. The deceased are buried in the mountains. A funeral house is constructed over the grave and is filled with the person's personal items such as a rice basket, drink pipe, bowls, and chopsticks. They erect at the front of the grave a four-to-five-meter (13-16 ft.) pole. A wooden bird and a shirt belonging to the deceased's wife or husband are attached to the top of the pole.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bit practice a mixture of Theravada Buddhism and animism. They believe a person has five souls. After death, one soul remains in the house; one goes to the fields; one settles in the foot of the tree that was felled to make the coffin; one lives in the funeral home; and the last remaining soul flies to the sky.

There are few if any Christian believers among the Bit in China or Laos, although there are many Christians among the related Khmu of northern Laos.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bit people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life he offers in John 10:10.


Prayer Points

Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.

Pray for the authority of Christ to bind hindering spiritual forces to lead them from darkness to light.

Pray for signs and wonders to happen among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.


Scripture Prayers for the Bit in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bit
People Name in Country Bit
Pronunciation bit
Alternate Names Bid; Buxia; Buxin; Buxinhua; Khabit; Khbit; Phsin; Phsing
Population this Country 900
Population all Countries 3,400
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 0  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 10882
ROP3 Code 101500
ROP25 Code 301269
ROP25 Name Bit (Khabit)
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country In 1990 just 500 members of the Bit ethnic group were reportedly living in two villages in southern Yunnan province. Approximately three times that number inhabit the forests of northern Laos. The Bit are located within Mengla County in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture.   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Country China
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 19  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country In 1990 just 500 members of the Bit ethnic group were reportedly living in two villages in southern Yunnan province. Approximately three times that number inhabit the forests of northern Laos. The Bit are located within Mengla County in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture..   Source:  Operation China, 2000

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
40.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
60.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bit (900 speakers)
Language Code bgk   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bit (900 speakers)
Language Code bgk   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bit

Primary Language:  Bit

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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