Zou in India


Population
Main Language
Zo
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Zou or Zo form a group of Tibeto-Burman peoples inhabiting the Chin Hills in Myanmar and Manipur in India. They are also called Yo and Jou. The earliest historical records of the Zou were written by Fan-Cho a diplomat of the Tang Dynasty of China who mentioned a kingdom in the Chindween Valley whose princes and chiefs were called Zo, Shou, or Zhou in the year 862 A. D. The most accurate historical records of the Zos/Zous were written by Rev. Fr. Vincentious Sangermano, a Roman Catholic missionary who came to Burma in 1783 A. D. While colonial records referred to the Zou tribe variously as 'Yo' or 'Yaw ', the Zou community living in Manipur called itself 'Jou '. The first Christian church established by the Zou tribe in Manipur was called Jou Christian Association (JCA), founded in February of 1954. The government of India officially recognized the name of this tribe as 'Zou' in 1956. Almost all of the Zou claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Zou are subsistence farmers. Hunting and fishing also supplement the Zou's diet. The Zou also raise animals to sell and for their own use. The Zou people love their folktales and music. Though they are Christian, their traditional marriage forms have been the same for hundreds of years.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Zou have abandoned ancestor worship, and they are officially Christian. They have successfully used their own style of music to make their own worship music. Many of the Zou continue to practice folk religion along with their Christianity.


What Are Their Needs?

The Zou need to put their complete faith in the One who came to give them a full and meaningful life. They need trained pastors who can teach them the Bible. Some Zou villages lack access to modern medicine, indoor plumbing and electricity.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Zou might grow in their Christian faith and share the good news with other peoples of northeast India and Myanmar. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Zou people this decade. Pray that the Zou gain access to modern medicine and that parents are able to provide adequately for their children.


Scripture Prayers for the Zou in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Zou
People Name in Country Zou
Alternate Names Jou; Zogam; Zomi; Zomi Chin; ज़ो
Population this Country 28,000
Population all Countries 96,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 18358
ROP3 Code 113913
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Manipur
28,000
Uttar Pradesh
10
Madhya Pradesh
10
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Manipur 28,000
  Uttar Pradesh 10
  Madhya Pradesh 10
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.06 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
99.43 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.34 %
Islam
0.08 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.02 %
Unknown
0.06 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Zo (23,000 speakers)
Language Code zom   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Chin, Thado
600
Hmar
300
Chin, Paite
200
Vaiphei
200
Naga, Tangkhul (India)
70
Hindi
40
Naga, Inpui: Naga, Kabui
40
Anal
30
English
30
Naga, Liangmai
20
Mizo
20
Naga, Zeme
20
Gangte
10
Naga, Mao Kom (India)
Primary Language Zo (23,000 speakers)
Language Code zom   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Chin, Thado 600
  Hmar 300
  Chin, Paite 200
  Vaiphei 200
  Naga, Tangkhul (India) 70
  Hindi 40
  Naga, Inpui: Naga, Kabui 40
  Anal 30
  English 30
  Naga, Liangmai 20
  Mizo 20
  Naga, Zeme 20
  Gangte 10
  Naga, Mao 0
  Kom (India) 0
People Groups Speaking Zo
Photo Source Davidlalzou - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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