Bokha in China

The Bokha have only been reported in China
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Bokha are one of more than 100 distinct tribes and people groups that comprise the official Yi nationality in China. The Bokha speak their own language which is not mutually intelligible to any of the Yi varieties in the area. They also possess their own unique dress, customs and festivals.

The Bokha appear to consist of people from more than one historical migration. Most Bokha claim to have first arrived in the area after fleeing the chaos of war in Hunan Province more than 1,000 years ago. Their migration route took them through Wenshan Prefecture and into Honghe where they finally settled in Pingbian County. Some Bokha people living near Pingbian Township, however, claim to have migrated from Guizhou and Sichuan provinces only about 200 years ago.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bokha are skilled at making rice and corn whiskey, which they consume in copious quantities. As soon as a guest enters a Bokha home, he or she is offered a bowl of powerful whiskey which the host clasps in two hands as a mark of respect for the guest. To refuse to drink the whiskey is considered a grave insult by the Bokha, and a visitor may not be allowed to stay if they cannot offer a good excuse. The Bokha have many superstitions relating to preparation of food and eating.


What Are Their Beliefs?

On certain occasions throughout the year, the polytheistic beliefs of the Bokha come to the fore. The Bokha set aside the 16th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar to worship the dragon. Each village has a sacred tree on the outskirts of their village. They believe the tree is home to the spirit of the dragon. The entire village gathers around the tree to offer prayers, incense and sacrifices. They plead with the dragon to protect them and cause them to prosper in the coming year, and to cause all calamities and disease to stay far from their communities. The Bokha living in the northeast corner of Pingbian County "appease the dragon god by placing spicy whiskey on an altar beneath the dragon tree. They then take the whiskey and pour it into a basin in the altar. Having filled the basin, they use a hollowed reed and take turns sucking the potent brew from the altar."

There are just a few Christians among the unreached Bokha people. The Bokha remain unevangelized and devoid of any Christian witness.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bokha people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life he offers them 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 Bokha in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bokha
People Name in Country Bokha
Pronunciation Bo-kah
Alternate Names Akapa; Aphu; Baka; Black Muji; Bokho; Flowery Phula; Hei Muji; Hua Phula; Lao Phula; Pao Tle
Population this Country 12,000
Population all Countries 12,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18417
ROP3 Code 116943
ROP25 Code 301316
ROP25 Name Bokha
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 Yunnan province: Hekou county, Lianhuatan township; Jinping county, Mengqiao and Ma’andi townships; Pingbian county, Dishuiceng township.   Source:  Ethnologue 2017
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 Yunnan province: Hekou county, Lianhuatan township; Jinping county, Mengqiao and Ma’andi townships; Pingbian county, Dishuiceng township..   Source:  Ethnologue 2017
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.05 %)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
95.90 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
4.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bokha (12,000 speakers)
Language Code ybk   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bokha (12,000 speakers)
Language Code ybk   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bokha

Primary Language:  Bokha

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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