Changpao in China

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

Introduction / History

The history of the classification of the Changpao began in 1953 when they applied for recognition as a distinct minority group. They appeared on a list as one of 80 groups in Guizhou that remained unclassified. After research, the list of 80 was reduced to only 23 "actual" groups, which included the Changpao. Although they have now been named as part of the Yao, the bureaucratic struggle of the Changpao is indicative of their struggle as a people group to survive against all odds. Poor soil, wars, and famine have combined to keep the Changpao population low over the centuries.

When the Chinese sent their teams of experts throughout China to determine the official nationalities, they could not decide which minority group the Changpao were related to. In the 1982 census they were placed in a list of Undetermined Minorities. In 1985, possibly at their own insistence, they were reclassified as part of the Yao nationality. The name Changpao is Chinese in origin. It is not known what this group calls itself. There is little doubt, however, that from a mission-significant viewpoint the Changpao should be considered a distinct group.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Culturally, the Changpao share many similarities with the Yao of Guangxi. They may be related to the various Bunu groups, who are linguistically Miao but culturally Yao after countless generations of living near Yao communities.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Throughout the course of the year, Changpao families observe several ceremonies dedicated to spirit worship and ancestor worship. They consult Daoist priests about many important festivities and rituals over which they then preside.

Because the location of the Changpao has yet to be specified, we know next to nothing of the status of Christianity among them. There are no more than a handful of known Yao believers in the whole province, so it is likely that the Changpao are an unreached and largely unevangelized people group. Protestant missionary activity in Guizhou, which commenced when C. H. Judd and J. F. Braumton of the China Inland Mission arrived in 1877, experienced great success among the A-Hmao and Gha-Mu. Few other areas of the province have received a gospel witness.


What Are Their Needs?

The Changpao 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 the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.

Pray for loving workers.

Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.

Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Changpao in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Changpao
People Name in Country Changpao
Pronunciation Chung-paow
Alternate Names Changpao Yao
Population this Country 6,800
Population all Countries 6,800
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 18427
ROP3 Code 114023
ROP25 Code 301669
ROP25 Name Changpao
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 Approximately 5,000 members of the Changpao ethnic group live in an unspecified part of southwestern or southern Guizhou Province in southern China. Guizhou "is an intense table-land with a mean altitude of 4,200 feet [1,280 meters]. Deep narrow rivers intersect the table-land which is studded with numerous mountain peaks, some of which, especially in the west, attain an altitude of 8,000 or 9,000 feet [2,440-2,740 meters]."   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 Approximately 5,000 members of the Changpao ethnic group live in an unspecified part of southwestern or southern Guizhou Province in southern China. Guizhou "is an intense table-land with a mean altitude of 4,200 feet [1,280 meters]. Deep narrow rivers intersect the table-land which is studded with numerous mountain peaks, some of which, especially in the west, attain an altitude of 8,000 or 9,000 feet [2,440-2,740 meters].".   Source:  Operation China, 2000

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
95.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bunu, Bu-Nao (6,800 speakers)
Language Code bwx   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bunu, Bu-Nao (6,800 speakers)
Language Code bwx   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bunu, Bu-Nao

Primary Language:  Bunu, Bu-Nao

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, 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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