The Hakka, although proud of their cultural differences, have never claimed to be non-Chinese. Many famous Chinese have been Hakka, including Deng Xiaoping, Lee Kwan Yew, and Hong Xiuquan (the leader of the Taiping Rebellion).
There is much speculation concerning the historical roots of the Hakka. Some claim that they were the first Chinese people to arrive in China. Others claim that the Hakka are the descendants of the Xiongnu tribe. This much is agreed upon: At various stages between the fourth and thirteenth centuries AD, large numbers of people were forced to flee their homes in the war-torn Yellow River valley to seek refuge in southern China. These war refugees came to be known as Kejia - a Hakka word meaning "strangers" or "guests." When the savage Mongol hordes swept across China in the thirteenth century, many Hakka fled to the south to escape the carnage.
In today’s world, the Hakka are among the Chinese diaspora in many countries including the US where they make up a small part of the overall Chinese population.
The Hakka people are sometimes called the "Jews of Asia" because of their business acumen. The Hakka speak their own language, which itself has several dialects. Hakka is mutually unintelligible with Mandarin and Cantonese, the two other major Han Chinese languages in that region.
The Hakka adhere to traditional Chinese religion. This can include aspects of Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Commonly they worship the spirits of their ancestors, believing these spirits can affect their future and their fortune. Therefore, they make offerings and build shrines and altars in their honor.
The Hakka have a gospel witness, in the US. The largest written work in Hakka used to be the New Testament and Psalms, but in 2012 they completed the Hakka Bible known as Today’s Taiwan Hakka Version. It can be supplemented with audio recordings.
Hakka Chinese Buddhists in the US need the chance to hear that Jesus Christ offers life to the full for those who will submit to his lordship.
Pray for the Lord to enable and thrust out loving workers to the Hakka Chinese in the US.
Pray for the Hakka to have receptive hearts to the things of Christ.
Pray for Hakka church planters to train others to plant more churches and make disciples.
Scripture Prayers for the Han Chinese, Hakka in United States.
Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
