San Chay in China


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Cao Lan communities are divided into various family lineages, each clan having their own peculiar customs and their own protective spirit. The Nung and Cao Lan joined with a powerful Hmong army in northern Vietnam in the 1860s. They took possession of large tracts of land and raided Buddhist temples of their gold. The Cao Lan were deceived into following Sioung - the charismatic, self-proclaimed Hmong king.

The Cao Lan are officially considered part of the Zhuang nationality in China. They speak a distinct language—different from other Zhuang varieties—and possess their own set of customs and traditions.

Cao Lan is part of the Central Tai linguistic family. "The Cao Lan, a Sinicized group, consists mainly in various areas of the delta of northern Vietnam; it is also found in smaller numbers in China." It is possible that the Cao Lan language in China is what linguists label the Yan-Guang dialect of Southern Zhuang.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Strict morality codes are practiced among the rural Cao Lan. Women must observe strict rules and customs. Whenever a woman encounters a man in a social position superior to her husband's, she is required to hide behind bamboo. The Cao Lan were traditionally buried when they died but, due to a lack of land, the government has recently begun demanding that the dead be cremated instead. Traditionally, when the body was placed in the coffin, seven coins were added for a man and nine for a woman. The coins represent the Khue star which they believe guides the person's soul to his or her ancestors in the other world.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Spirit worship takes a major place in the lives of the Cao Lan population. Each branch of the nationality worships a different spirit such as the spirit of the river, the trees, the crops, etc. Elaborate festivals include the playing of castanets, copper bells, drums, cymbals, and wind instruments.

Very few have had any exposure to the Christian message and the name of Christ remains unknown. Northern Vietnam and southern China have been Communist strongholds for three generations. No Christian ministries or Western mission organizations are known to be focusing on them.


What Are Their Needs?

The Cao Lan people have few chances to hear that Jesus saves sinners. Who will go?


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord will intervene by calling Cao Lan people to his side in their families.
Pray for workers who love Cao Lan people.
Pray that the Lord of lords will draw Cao Lan people to himself.
Pray for a thriving church planting movement in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the San Chay in China.


References

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General San Chay
People Name in Country San Chay
Pronunciation Cow-Lahn
Alternate Names Cao Lan; Hon Ban; Hon Chung; Sán Chay (CaoLan-SánChi); San Chi; Son Tu
Population this Country 51,000
Population all Countries 256,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 13474
ROP3 Code 106205
ROP25 Code 301578
ROP25 Name Cao Lan (San Chay)
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 The Global Evangelization Movement listed a 1995 population of 36,677 Cao Lan in China. In addition, more than 114,000 live in northern Vietnam where they are known as San Chay. The Cao Lan are located along the Yunnan-Vietnam border in Xichou County. In Vietnam they inhabit the lower Red River area, with communities in seven different provinces: Tuyen Quang, Bac Thai, Ha Bac, Quang Ninh, Yen Bai, Lang Son, and Vinh Phu.   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 The Global Evangelization Movement listed a 1995 population of 36,677 Cao Lan in China. In addition, more than 114,000 live in northern Vietnam where they are known as San Chay. The Cao Lan are located along the Yunnan-Vietnam border in Xichou County. In Vietnam they inhabit the lower Red River area, with communities in seven different provinces: Tuyen Quang, Bac Thai, Ha Bac, Quang Ninh, Yen Bai, Lang Son, and Vinh Phu..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
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 Cao Lan (51,000 speakers)
Language Code mlc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Cao Lan (51,000 speakers)
Language Code mlc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Cao Lan

Primary Language:  Cao Lan

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2023)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Cao Lan Jesus Film Project
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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