Nunu in China

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

Introduction / History

Nunu history is shrouded in stories of past migrations and armed conflict with other people groups. Because of pressure from the Han and the Zhuang, the Nunu were driven from their land and forced into the remote mountains where the soil is poor and living conditions extremely harsh. In some places the Nunu must walk long distances to collect water from the nearest source.

In most other countries, the Nunu would be classified as a distinct minority group in their own right. In China, however, they have been tucked away as part of the Bunu who, in turn, have been included under the official Yao nationality. Because of this classification, few people have ever heard of the Nunu even though they possess their own culture, history, language, and ethnicity.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Because of the poor soil and rocky ground, the Nunu have become accustomed to surviving however they are able. Nunu men have traditionally been great hunters, but today their yields are limited to wild pigs and small game. In the past the region was home to many tigers, deer, and bears. Nunu women are experts at foraging in the forests for food supplements such as edible mushrooms and vegetables. In times of great hunger, the Nunu have eaten roots and the bark from trees which they boil into a sticky substance.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Pan Hu is worshiped by the Nunu. At the great Pan Hu Festival, held on the 16th day of every tenth lunar month, thousands of people come together in a demonstration of devotion to Pan Hu that borders on demonic possession. The Nunu also worship their ancestors.

Early missionaries commented on the meekness of character possessed by China's minorities. Paul Vial, who worked among a group in Yunnan, wrote, "The [minority person] is born timid but not fearful; he shuns strangers as if they were bringing the plague. ... He is not afraid, but he is not daring. In front of a Chinese, he is as a dog before a tiger. ... He is like a large child who follows you, but who never precedes you."


What Are Their Needs?

The Nunu people need to find their way to the cross. As it stands, few if any will ever hear his voice calling them.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.
Pray God will send a messenger who will engage in power encounter against possessing demons.
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 Nunu in China.


References

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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Nunu
People Name in Country Nunu
Pronunciation Noo-noo
Alternate Names Beilong Yao
Population this Country 63,000
Population all Countries 63,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14068
ROP3 Code 107515
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 Numbering 31,928 speakers at the time of the 1982 Chinese language census, the Nunu people of Guangxi increased to more than 48,000 by the end of the twentieth century. They are one of 11 distinct Bunu subgroups, each speaking a different language. The Bunu totaled 439,000 people in 1982. Nunu communites are located in the northwestern part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: in Lingyun, Tianlin, Fengshan, and Donglan counties.   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 Numbering 31,928 speakers at the time of the 1982 Chinese language census, the Nunu people of Guangxi increased to more than 48,000 by the end of the twentieth century. They are one of 11 distinct Bunu subgroups, each speaking a different language. The Bunu totaled 439,000 people in 1982. Nunu communites are located in the northwestern part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: in Lingyun, Tianlin, Fengshan, and Donglan counties..   Source:  Operation China, 2000
Map of Nunu in China 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 (63,000 speakers)
Language Code bwx   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Nunu
Dialect Code 8504   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bunu, Bu-Nao (63,000 speakers)
Language Code bwx   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Nunu
Dialect Code 8504   Global Recordings 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
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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